Stethoscope
The Ears of the School Nurse
March 2023
Hello, March! Bring on Spring Break and nice weather! We are about halfway through the Spring semester, and I can smell all the good things summer brings. Do you have any fun spring break plans, or are you excited to sit at home and enjoy the break?
Remember, if you get a new student and cannot get documentation that the H/V/S screenings have been completed, it is on you to do them unless it is 60 days before summer break; then, it can be completed the next school year.
As always, we are here you assist you in any way we can! Let your ESC nurses know what we can do to help you and your school.
March Nurse Huddle
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023, 02:00 PM
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Epinephrine auto-injector extended expiration date
FARE- Research on EpiPen extension article. The article was published in January of 2023. I will keep and eye on the FDA page.
Anaphylaxis
01/17/23 — Emerson Cole was a vibrant 10-year-old girl with a food allergy. She was at lunch and noticed she was having a reaction. It was reported she ran to the nurse's office, but the nurse was gone, her epi-pen was locked, and no one could access it. They called the family, and her grandma showed up and administered CPR until the fire department arrived. She ultimately lost her life, and her family donated her organs.
01/28/23 — Aly West had a severe nut allergy. She was attending her high school winter formal when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction, and CPR had to be administered. I cannot find out if she had an epi-pen available or what other circumstances occurred.
This is the second death this year from an allergy I have learned of; one was in my hometown.
According to the Guide to Medication Administration in the School Setting:
"School personnel should be knowledgeable of their school district's policies surrounding school health services, specifically medication administration. For medication administration, it is important that all school staff are aware of what their district's policies are for self-administration, administration on field trips, and emergency medication administration. For emergency medications, staff should be aware of students who carry their medication with them with the intention to self-administer. Also, all staff should be aware of where stock epinephrine is stored on school grounds (if applicable), for response to students that appear to be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. A running list of school staff that are qualified to respond in emergencies and which staff carry keys to medication in locked storage should be kept and maintained by the school principal."
Emergency medications MUST be accessible, and the right people need to know where they are kept. It is imperative and life-altering that you and your school personnel know where and how these medications are stored. It is also important to have your individualized healthcare plans or action plans made. You, as the nurse, may know every kid with an issue, but what if you are gone, the secretary is gone, and the principal is alone and having to figure an emergency out? Then what do you do?
As good practice, always have someone call EMS first. It is better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. Of course, if only one person is available, the epi-pen should be administered, then call EMS.
Snack Safely has resources available
CDC Healthy Schools
DSHS Background and Statutes
1/26/23 — Washington D.C. legislation was introduced to the "Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act," which would require school food personnel to complete food allergy training.
Top nine allergens
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Soy
- Wheat
- Tree Nut
- Shellfish
- Fish
- Sesame Seed
❗❗Renewing your nursing license? Did you know these are required?❗❗
— All nurses must complete at least two contact hours in nursing jurisprudence and ethics before the end of every third renewal cycle. Every six years!
Board of Nursing link for the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam.
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Human Trafficking Prevention
— Any nurse who provides direct patient care must complete a human trafficking prevention course that is approved. This started in 2020! It is required every two years with license renewal.
Texas Health and Human Services training courses (approved link)
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Link for Continuing Competency Requirements
Professional Development
TSSC is hosting their conference themed Developing School Safety leaders, June 18-22, 2023
in San Antonio.
Register by May 26, 2023, to receive a discount
Link to register and more information.
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Health Education
Vaping Prevention and Education
Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has an online vaping prevention and education resource center. Free, science-based, standards-mapped materials that you can use to help students. They also provide free resources for materials for parents and teens.
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Texas State School Center
Trauma-Informed Care Workshop-Elementary
Trauma-Informed Care Workshop-Secondary
SHARS 2023 Conference
Thursday, May 4, in person only
Pre-conference: noon - 4:00 p.m.
Networking event: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 5, hybrid
Conference 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register by April 1 to be entered into a prize drawing!
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SHARS Matters Webinar Series: Documentation Requirements & Best Practices
Virtual Event- May 17, from 1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Long COVID and how it affects asthma.
Dr. Purvi Parikh will discuss the topic. Link
DITEP Training
We have the class for you!
Join us on April 18 and 19 at ESC Region 11 for a free two-day course on DITEP training.
It is 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. You must attend both days to receive credit. Lunch will be provided.
Use this link to register to ensure you receive credit and get your certificate of completion.
The deadline to register is 04/13/2023.
Community Education Events — Cook Children's
Useful ones I saw:
- G-Button Education — Zoom 3/7/23
- Asthma Education — Zoom 3/14/23
- G-Button Education — In person 4/4/23
- Diabetes 2022 Workshop — Recorded and Available until 9/1/23
Spinal Screening
All classes are full, so check back often.
Contact Sylvia Millsap for additional class information at sylvia.millsap@dshs.texas.gov.
Hearing and Vision
Sheron Fountain is the point of contact for classes: sheron.fountain@dshs.texas.gov
ANNOUCEMENTS
Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Reporting Period is open
Submit to DSHS through the Child Health Reporting System (CHRS). You'll need to log in and submit through the link. Late reporting is not accepted. I would not submit it until you are out of school to ensure you do not get a new student, but you can log your information and save then go back and change it as needed. Once you submit it, it cannot be changed or altered. Do not submit until you are ready.
For more information - Link
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Health Services
Helping the student with Diabetes succeed: A Guide for School Personnel Kit.
The American Diabetes Association has updated its school guide. The guide reflects changes in diabetes technology and treatment in a school setting. This resource can be used by school nurses, staff, families, and policymakers.
🔴 Continuous Medicaid Coverage is ending March 31, 2023 🔴
Medication shortages
Youth Preparedness Camp Application
Camp is July 9th - July 13th in San Marcos at the Texas State University.
Applications are due April 19th, 2023, at 12:00 PM CT.
Are you a member of NASN?
April is 911 Education Month
Meet Cell Phone Sally — she teaches kids when/how to dial 9-1-1 for help.
Let us celebrate you, a coworker, or your school!
Please include the name of the person(s) you're celebrating, what school they are from, and why you'd like to highlight them!
Are you happy with your ESC Region 11 Nursing Team? Tell us about it!
Tyfani Urrutia, B.S.N., RN
Email: turrutia@esc11.net
Website: www.esc11.net/nurse
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7655
Shelby Lampley, B.S.N., RN
Email: slampley@esc11.net
Website: www.esc11.net/nurse
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7656