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COVID-19 Information for School Health Services

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This webpage provides COVID-19 information relevant to school nurses, school healthcare professionals, school administrators, and school staff as they navigate and practice current infection control and mitigation measures during the current school year.

Practicing 21st Century School Nursing Wisconsin school nurses use the key principles of Community/Public Health, Leadership, Quality Improvement, and Care Coordination as they respond to situations involving SARS-CoV2 (2019 novel coronavirus) and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The following resources are provided to assist school nurses in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 on their school communities.

School Health Services Infection Control and Mitigation

Click tabs below for current information and resources.

COVID-19 GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
CLIA WAIVER
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
SCHOOL NURSE TOOLKIT RESOURCES
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (DHS)
RESOURCES FOR SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS

Restarting Safe Education & Testing For Children with Medical Complexity

Family Decision Making Tool

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis in School during COVID-19

Autism and the Coronavirus: Resources for Families

During the coronavirus crisis, many families who have children with autism spectrum disorder are coping with the suspension of both school and essential services. Additionally, children with autism often have difficulty adjusting to the disruption of their routine and environment. (Child Mind Institute’s Autism Center 4/10/20)

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies Webpage (CDC)

Provides resources to plan and care for children with various health conditions for urgent or constant medical needs, difficulty communicating or have trouble with transitioning to different situations. Includes emergency plans, transportation, access and functional needs. (CDC 1/6/21)

COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Provides information on ways parents and caregivers can help themselves, their families, and their children with special health care needs meet their safety, growth, and health care needs during the COVID-19 outbreak: (American Academy of Pediatrics 2/18/21)

Information for School Nurses from the Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC)

Provides resources for providing direct care, managing the health care plan, educating staff about emergency plans, identifying possible classroom accommodations for the student, as well as providing resources for parents for students with special health care needs. (Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore MD 2/2021)

COVID-19 Planning Considerations for Students with Special Health Needs

 

VENTILATION

Schools and ECE programs can optimize ventilation and improve indoor air quality to reduce the risk of germs and contaminants spreading through the air. Funds provided through the U.S. Department of Education’s Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) Programs and the and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Programs can support improvements to ventilation; repairs, upgrades, and replacements in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems; purchase of MERV-13 air filters and portable air cleaners; as well as implementation of other public health protocols and CDC guidance. Ventilation recommendations for different types of buildings can be found in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) schools and universities guidance. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air in Buildings Challenge provides specific steps schools and other buildings can take to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of airborne spread of viruses and other contaminants. DPI does not provide recommendations for, or against, any manufacturer or product.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
LONG COVID

Not all students previously diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms of the illness will develop symptoms of long COVID. However, the school nurse should be proactive in assessing, educating, and referring possible students who could be exhibiting physical, behavioral, or mental health issues, as well as academic challenges, as a symptom of this illness. (Long COVID—The New “Invisible” Illness. NASN School Nurse March 2022. DOI: 10.1177/1942602X211059427)

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Pandemic Planning

Every school needs to develop a plan to address a possible influenza pandemic. Making this plan part of the school’s overall crisis or safety plan allows the developers to move ahead quickly using many of the components which are already in place.

See the Pandemic Planning Tools webpage

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School Nurse Communication

The School Nurse Newsletter provides bi-weekly updates provide DPI News pertaining to school nurses and health service professionals; this includes new resources, upcoming training opportunities, and any updates from National and State Health agencies.

See the School Nurse Communications webpage