LEISD Standard of Care

The Standard of Care for Little Elm ISD is aligned with those of the National Association of School Nurses. It is our goal to keep children in class. We will endeavor to send home only those children who are truly ill, or who present a direct threat to the wellness of their classmates.

Temperature:

A child who has a temperature of more than 100 has a health problem that his/her immune system has responded to. We ask that the parent keep the child home until he/she is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducers. This allows the recover time that is safest for all children.

Diarrhea:

Diarrhea usually indicates gastroenteritis; though short-lived and self-limiting, it can be highly contagious to others in the environment. Thus, diarrhea always excludes a child from class.

Vomiting:

Vomiting can be due to an upset stomach (vital gastroenteritis), or various bacterial organisms. We will always try to determine which one and act accordingly. We usually advise the parent that it is not necessary to see their physician for this unless the child continues to vomit and is in danger of becoming dehydrated. Most children who vomit at school need to go home.

Pink Eye or Infectious Conjunctivitis:

This is a distinctive bacterial infection of the white part of the eye. It requires a specific prescription medication and the child must be on the medication for 24 hours before returning to school because it is highly contagious.

Intractable Earache:

These can be very painful, and although self-limiting, often needs to be treated and pain medication prescribed. The parent will be notified after the nurse's assessment.

Skin Rashes:

Children often have an allergic response to some topical or environmental agent; it may be poison ivy, scabies, or impetigo, or even a medication rash. There are many disease entities that even the doctor can identify. When a child at school has an unidentified rash we must exclude them from a class until a physician determines that they may return, or that it is not contagious.

Medication:

Students are not allowed to have any medications in their possession at school. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter meds, vitamins, and herbs. Exceptions: inhalers, Diabetic supplies and/or Epi-pens may be carried with proper documentation from a doctor on file in the clinic. We will be happy to give prescription medication when necessary; however, it must be in its original bottle with prescription label. The dose on the label is to be exactly what your child is to receive. If the prescription is to be taken longer than 10 days, it must be accompanied by a Medical Request and Authorization Form signed by the prescribing physician and the parent. If it is less than 10 days, it must be accompanied by a written request from the parent/guardian. The physician may fax us a note for the medication. If the medication is nonprescription, over-the-counter, it must be provided by the parent, along with a written request and be in the original, properly labeled container. No baggies with medications, please. At the end of the school year, all medications must be picked up from the clinic by a parent/guardian. Any medication not picked up within two weeks will be destroyed. All medications must be brought to school by a parent/guardian and given to the school nurse. Medications can not be sent to school or home with student.