Children, school and
school-required health forms
Are you a pediatric nurse who
has been handed school-required health forms by parents or guardians who are
upset, because they do not understand them?
School-required health forms
for children are important, as well as essential for school admission. Parents
or guardians have the responsibility of making certain that these
school-required forms are properly filled out by their children's physicians
and submitted to their children's schools, in a timely manner.
Parents frequently confront
pediatric nurses, other registered nurses and health care professionals,
employed by family physicians or pediatricians, with a multiplicity of
different school-required forms for their children, just before school starts.
Parents and guardians do not
necessarily understand school-required forms, what they mean or why they are
requested by the school. Sometimes they get upset about them, feeling
that having to submit this kind of information is an invasion of their
personal privacy. Getting the forms filled out may present an inconvenience to
the parents or guardians or be regarded by them, as an unnecessary, medical
expense.
The role of the nurses becomes
that of answering questions about school-required forms and assisting the
children's physicians to complete them. The forms must be signed by the
physicians responsible for the children's health care. School-required forms
usually require parents' or guardians' signatures. If the nurses are not able
to explain school-required forms to the parents or guardians, the physicians
may have to answer any questions that they have.
It is important that the
school-required health forms are filled out properly in order to make certain
that the children in question are healthy when they are admitted to school,
stay healthy throughout the school year and their health care needs are met,
while they are at school.
School-required forms vary to
some degree, depending upon the country or school district involved. The
majority of school-required forms must be submitted to the school annually and
are required at the beginning of the school year.
School-required forms include
the following: emergency medical-activity participation permit, health history,
immunization form, physical exam form, request for administration of medication
and self medication permission (1)
Because each child is unique,
his or her health care needs at school are unique also.
Each child's activity level and
participation at school is different. Note that the school assumes
responsibility for a child's emergency or medical treatment, with respect to
school activities and his or her participation in school programs. It is
important that the child's physician and parents are aware of and in agreement
with regard to the kinds of activities that their child participates in, while
at school. The emergency medical-activity participation form gives parent
or guardian contact information, in case an emergency situation arises, while a
child is at school or on a school outing.
A child's health history form
is required by the school, prior to admission and is submitted to the school
nurse, who keeps the information strictly confidential. The medical information
released to the school comes from the child's physician. It contains any
pertinent medical concerns like past or current medical conditions, allergies
and medications. This is important because it concerns a child's development
and learning in school.
Immunization records are a
valuable health care document for every child. Early childhood and school
immunization requirements are standardized. Immunization is carried out
at a doctor's office and documented by the child's physician or nurse. If parents
do not have a current record of their child's immunization, this can be
obtained by contacting the child's doctor or office nurse. If there are medical
or religious exemptions regarding immunization, these should be noted on a copy
of the immunization record submitted to the school and it must be signed by the
child's physician and his or her parent or guardian.
Physical examination forms are a school requirement. It is the responsibility of the parents to make
certain that each child in question has an annual health exam. Physical exams
are carried out by physicians in doctor's offices with the assistance of
pediatric nurses, other registered nurses and health care professionals. The
physician signs the document regarding the status of the child's health.
Request for administration of
medication forms are required by schools, where there is a situation in which a
child must have medication administered at school or on school outings. This must
be ordered by a physician, who writes the prescription for medication and
requires written parental or guardian consent. The parent or guardian takes the
medication to the school along with the appropriate form. The medication is
locked up and administered by the school nurse.
Self medication permission
forms may be required by the school for inhalers, insulin and epi-pens,
depending upon the age and level of comprehension of the child requiring
self-administration of medication. The physician may issue directives to the
parents and school regarding back-up medication to be kept at the school for
emergencies situations.
Be aware that there may be
other school-required forms that must be filled out by doctors, pediatric
nurses or other registered nurses and health care professionals, as well as
parents. While these forms appear to present an inconvenience to parents and
guardians at times, they are important for the health and well being of the
children attending school.
Parental compliance is important, at all times.
Any parents or guardians who
have questions regarding school-required forms for their children, can and
should contact the schools directly or their physicians.
Appropriate school-required
forms may be available directly from the schools or online.
Note that the majority of
pediatric nurses will be familiar with most of the school-required forms and
able to answer parent's and guardian's questions about them.
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