Digital Student Health History Form

How School Nurses Can Collect Updated Student Health Information

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Helpful School Nurse Tip: Collecting updated student health information can help school nurses identify new diagnoses, changing health needs, medications, accommodations, and students who may need additional health planning during the school day.

Student health information can change from one school year to the next—or even during the school year. A new diagnosis, medication, procedure, or change in a chronic condition may affect a student's needs at school.

So, how do school nurses keep up with all of it?

There are several ways to gather and update student health information throughout the school year.

What Health Information Should You Collect?

A current student health history can help answer questions such as:

• Does the student have a current or past medical diagnosis that may impact their education or school day?
• Does the student need health-related accommodations or support at school?
• Does the student take medications at home or at school?
• Does the student have allergies or other health concerns?
• Could the student need an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP), Emergency Action Plan (EAP), 504 Plan, or other health-related documentation?
• Is additional information needed from the student's healthcare provider?

A health history doesn't provide all of the answers, but it can help you determine which questions need to be asked next.

Ways to Collect Student Health Information

Review Previous School Health Records

Previous school health records are a great place to start.

Review available health histories, physical examinations, medication records, action plans, nursing documentation, and other relevant health information.

This can give you a snapshot of previously identified health conditions and help you determine which students may need additional follow-up.

Talk With Parents and Students

How many times has a parent called with a new diagnosis—or a student stopped by your office and casually mentioned an ongoing health condition?

It happens!

Those conversations can provide valuable information, but they don't always happen at the most convenient time. Take appropriate notes and follow up when additional information is needed.

When talking with families, consider asking how the health condition affects the student's school day, whether accommodations are needed, and whether there are updated healthcare provider recommendations, medications, or orders.

Follow Up by Email

After a phone call or in-person conversation, a follow-up email can be a helpful way to recap important information and request anything that is still needed.

Depending on the situation, you might:

• Review key points from the conversation
• Ask additional questions
• Request healthcare provider documentation or orders
• Discuss potential school accommodations
• Clarify how relevant health information will be communicated to appropriate staff
• Provide a link to your digital Student Health History Form

Having a consistent follow-up process can help keep important information from getting lost during a busy school day.

Use a Digital Student Health History Form

A digital health history form can provide families with an easy way to submit updated information while giving the school nurse a consistent system for collecting it.

I created a 100% editable Digital Student Health History Form that can be customized for your school and shared electronically with families.

If you use a Google Form or another digital system, make sure you have a process for regularly reviewing new responses and following up when needed.

When Should School Nurses Collect Health History Information?

Every school and district handles health information differently, but opportunities to collect or update student health histories may include:

• School registration
• Beginning-of-year health updates
• New student enrollment
• Annual registration or re-enrollment
• After notification of a new diagnosis
• When a student's health status changes
• When new medication or nursing needs are identified
• Through an ongoing link on the school or health office website
• As needed throughout the school year

Your process should reflect your school's procedures, district policies, state requirements, and the needs of your student population.

Once You Have the Information, What's Next?

Collecting the health history is only the beginning.

The information you receive may identify students who need additional assessment, healthcare provider documentation, medication or procedure orders, an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP), Emergency Action Plan (EAP), 504 accommodations, or other school health support.

I've written more about what to do with the information you collect in your student health histories HERE.

Make Collecting Health Information Easier

You don't have to start from scratch.

My Digital Student Health History Form is 100% editable, allowing you to customize the questions for your school or district and provide families with a convenient way to share updated student health information.

Use the information you collect as a starting point—and follow up based on each student's individual health and school needs.