Clinic, Health Issues, and Medication

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Epinephrine Use

Section 1002.20 (i) Florida Statute states: a student who has experienced or is at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions may carry an epinephrine auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has been provided with parental/guardian and physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant authorization. The parent or guardian of a student authorized to carry an epinephrine autoinjector must complete permission forms annually which eliminates any and all liability with respect to the student’s use of an epinephrine auto-injector. The physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner must complete permission forms annually attesting the student is able to recognize the signs and symptoms and manage their life-threatening allergies (ss.Chapters 464, 458, and 459).

Inhaler Use

Asthmatic students may carry a metered dose inhaler while in school with written permission from their parent/guardian and physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant (Section 1002.20 (h) Florida Statute) (ss.Chapters 464, 458, and 459). The forms must be competed annually.

Management of Life-Threatening Health Conditions

A student may be permitted to self-administer medication for potentially life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, allergies, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Guidelines for this process are based on F.S. 1002.20(3) (h)-(k). Written authorization is needed from the student’s physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant certifying that the student has the life-threatening illness. In addition, the licensed health care provider is attesting that the student is capable of and has been instructed in the proper administration of the required medicine and/or procedure for management of life-threatening health condition(s). Also, the parent/guardian must sign a written authorization for their child to self-administer medication. This authorization also includes a statement that the school district shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration. The permission is effective for the school year and will be reviewed annually. Please note that permission may be revoked if there is reason to believe that the life- sustaining medication, treatment, equipment or supplies are being used inappropriately. Parent/guardian should contact the clinic at their child’s school site for additional information.

Use of Assistive Medical Equipment: Crutches, Canes, Walkers, Wheelchairs, Braces, Splints

Medical devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and splints are prescribed by the medical doctor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to facilitate mobility or provide support or alignment of an injured or deformed body part. Health professionals specifically fit these devices to a child, taking into consideration such parameters as height, weight, angle of alignment required, and degree of mobility assist required; and train the child/parent in their safe use and appropriate care. In order to reasonably and safely accommodate the child who has been prescribed an assistive device in the educational setting, a medical order is important in describing any activity limitations at school (i.e. no PE for one month), length of time device is to be used, any monitoring or nursing care needed during the school day (i.e. ice applications to injury, observe for pressure areas), and needed assistance in mobility on the school campus (i.e. elevator key, assistance with carrying books or extra set of books for home, extra time going from one class to the next). Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with the school clinic personnel regarding their child’s medical needs during the school day while using any assistive devices. A parent or guardian without a health care provider order for assistive devices or is unable to produce the documentation for assistive devices should be referred to the principal.

A student may be exempted from the regular physical education program by a written request from the attending physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant stating the length of the exemption; in all cases, the principal should be notified.

Communicable Disease

Students with signs and/or symptoms indicating the possible presence of a communicable or infectious disease shall be isolated from other students. The parent or guardian shall be contacted in order to take the student home. The student shall be readmitted with a written statement from a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, and/or the student is free of signs and symptoms for at least 24 hours to 48 hours. (F.S. 381.0056, F.S.1003.22)

Emergency Cards

An Emergency Information card must be on file in the school office annually. Any changes with emergency contact information must be made immediately by the parent or guardian in person. The principal or designee may permit a child to leave school only in the custody of one of the following adults in accordance with school district policies and procedures:

• parent/guardian of a student, with photo ID;
• person listed on the Emergency Contact Card, with photo ID;
• a law enforcement officer;
• an authorized worker from the Department of Children and Families.

Head Lice

Head lice infestation is a common concern worldwide, with both social and medical implications. Lake Wales Charter Schools follow procedures that are in alignment with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) position statement on head lice. "The management of head lice infestations in school settings should not disrupt the educational process.  As the leader who bridges health care and education, the registered professional school nurse advocates for evidence-based head lice management strategies that eliminate exclusionary practices and promote positive student outcomes, including reduced absenteeism."

Health Screenings

Florida Statute 381.0056 requires that health screenings be conducted at various grade levels.  Trained school-based personnel and district-level staff perform these screenings.  Below are the grade level screenings, which include: Vision, Hearing, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Scoliosis.  The required screenings are as follows:

Vision:

• Students in kindergarten, first, third and sixth grades.
• Students entering Lake Wales Charter Schools for the first time.
• Students considered for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) placement.

Hearing:

• Students in kindergarten, first and sixth grades.
• Students entering Lake Wales Charter Schools for the first time.
• Students considered for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) placement.

BMI:

• Students in first, third and sixth grade.

Scoliosis:

• All sixth grade students. 

Parents and guardians have the option to decline their child's participation in the health screenings. Parents who wish to opt their child out must contact your child's School Health Services team member.