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  2. Campus Clinic Guidelines

Campus Clinic Guidelines

 

BISD Health Services Guidelines

Clinic Guidelines for Parents, Students and Staff

 Clinic Hours:  7:40 am – 3:40 pm

Any parent whose child has a medical condition which may affect them while at school needs to relay this information directly to the nurse.  If you would like to set up a meeting with the campus nurse to discuss your child’s health, please call Buffalo ISD at 903-322-2473 and select the appropriate extension.

Elementary/High School - ext. 5005 Lauren Rayborn BSN, RN
Lower Junior High - ext. 4004 
Upper Junior High - ext. 3004 
High School - ext. 2006 

 

 

According to The Department of State Health Services Blood Borne Pathogen guidelines, each classroom teacher will be given a packet of gloves, Band-Aids, and other items to handle minor scrapes and wounds. Each classroom teacher will be informed of students, in her/his classroom, with chronic conditions or potential for emergent conditions.

 

 

Students that are not in the identified group, with chronic or emergent conditions, can be treated under the following guidelines:

 

The following suggestions should be taken care of in class and do not require an urgent visit to the clinic.

 

  1. Chapped Lips – cover with thin layer of lip balm, if available.
  2. Minor abrasions (scrapes) – wash with soap and water, pat dry, apply band-aid on clean, dry wound.
  3. Mosquito/insect bites, presenting with mild, localized itching - Apply towel, moistened with cool water.
  4. First indications of “not feeling well” – Put head on desk, go to bathroom, get drink, see if lunch helps.
  5. Loose teeth or bitten lip with little to no bleeding – rinse mouth and face at sink, get a drink and return to class.
  6. Contact lenses - Student should provide own solution for cleaning lenses.
  7. Itchy eyes – wash face/eyes with cool water.

 

Student should stay in class when:

 

  1. For at least the first hour/period when a parent sent him/her to school to “try it”.  The school nurse will keep teachers informed of exceptions such as students with chronic illness.
  2. When someone else thinks he/she “looks” sick or “looks” feverish, but student feels fine.
  3. Healing abrasion (scab) is itchy or sore, but intact.
  4. Soreness from an old injury, no apparent redness or swelling - ice will not help more than 24 hours after an injury.
  5. When a student regularly finds excuses to leave class
  6. When a student frequently asks to go to the clinic at the same time of day.
  7. Student has a loose tooth, not due to injury.

 

 

When sending a student to the clinic:

Teacher needs to send each student with a Clinic Referral Slip, indicating the primary

complaint and the time the student left the classroom to go to clinic. In emergencies,

which case, the nurse may be requested to come to the site and make an assessment.

 

Valid reasons for leaving class and going to clinic:

 

  1. Significant vomiting (not just spitting up phlegm)
  2. Bleeding
  3. Headache, stomachache, “not feeling well” that persists beyond 45 – 60 minutes OR is extremely sudden and severe
  4. ill in appearance or behavior compared to other days.
  5. Symptoms of infection (redness, heat, pain, swelling, pus) in any area (e.g. eyes, skin, tooth/jaw, earlobes, fingernails.)
  6. Earache
  7. Sore throat
  8. Undiagnosed rash
  9. Injury to head/eyes/face/ears
  10. Bone/Joint injury (fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains) If bone injury is suspected make sure the student does not move or bear weight on the affected bone/joint.
  11. Allergic reactions to insects/foods/medications; hives, itching, or swelling of mouth/throat, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or wheezing.
  12. Exhibits problems related to chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, migraines, allergic reactions) an adult is to accompany the student to the nurse's office
  13. Nosebleed – use a tissue and pinch the child’s nose closed (right below the bridge) have the child breath through their mouth and escort them to the clinic.
  14. Splinters will be removed if visible and accessible with tweezers.  The site will be cleaned and covered, if it is embedded

 

Reasons to call the nurse to site:

  1. Loss of consciousness
  2. Seizure
  3. Serious falls or accidents that involve head, neck, spinal or upper leg injury

 

DO NOT MOVE STUDENT. SEND FOR NURSE.

WHEN THE NURSE ARRIVES,

AN ASSESSMENT WILL BE DONE TO DETERMINE

IF 911 SHOULD BE CALLED

 

Eye glass repairs – will not be repaired at school. Nurse will contact parent of incident.

 

Extra clothing – availability can often be limited. If only mildly uncomfortable, please remain in class.

 

Head Lice – if live lice bugs are visible, the student will be sent home.  They will be allowed one excused absence for treatment.  Upon returning to school, they will need to check in at the nurse’s office.  If no live lice are found, the child may remain at school.

 

Sore throat – this is a common complaint and does not require a clinic visit during core instruction time, unless other symptoms are present as well (temperature, vomiting, rash, etc.) If the throat is merely reddened or sinus drainage is observed, fluids will be encouraged.  If blisters or swollen tonsils are observed, parent will be contacted.  Peppermints may be given to students; however, they should not be sent to clinic multiple times.

 

Stomachaches – this is a frequent complaint and difficult to assess medically.  If the child states vomiting, there must be verification by school staff. Upon initial complaint, the teacher should allow the student to use the restroom. If the student has been in the clinic for 20 minutes without fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, they may return to class. Students sent home for vomiting must remain home until 24 hours free from illness.

 

Headaches – If a student complains of a headache, and no other symptoms, they may be asked to remain in class until break.  If appropriate, the student may rest in the clinic for up to 30 minutes.  Exceptions to this would be a diagnosis of migraines or other medical conditions that include frequent headaches. 

Questions to ask students before sending them to the clinic. 

  • Hungry?
  • Allergies?
  • Sensitive to smells?
  • Eye strain? 

These are not emergent and can wait until class break.