Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The School Nurse and Student Health Screenings

What health screenings need to be completed for my students? 

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: Mandatory health screenings are different then state required health forms needed for students to attend schools. Both screenings and requirements vary from state to state. Both are extremely important and schools nurses should be aware of the requirements for their students.

Health Screenings at School

Did you know that over 98% of US children attend school (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019) and 40% of those children have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition (CDC, 2019).  However, there might be more students attending school with an undiagnosed health condition and if a school nurse is on campus they are the perfect professional resource to provide initial health screenings and referrals for physician follow up care. Examples of health screenings that a school nurse or other trained professional can provide within the school setting include but might not be limited to:
  1. Vision Screenings
  2. Hearing Screenings
  3. Scoliosis Screenings
  4. Dental Screenings
  5. Mental Health & Behavioral Screenings
  6. Hunger Screenings
  7. Lead Exposure Screenings
Are unsure of the mandatory health screenings in your state?  If so, look at the Department of Public Health site for your state, then search for something general such as "school health requirements"; these search results will hopefully lead you in the right direction.

Illinois Student Health Screening Requirements

  1. Vision Screenings
    "Vision screening must be provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for school age children in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students." IDPH, 06/21/2022
  2. Hearing Screenings 
"Hearing screening must be provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older in any public or private educational program or licensed child care facility, and for all school age children grades kindergarten, first, second and third; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students.  These screening services shall be provided in all public, private, and parochial schools." IDPH, 06/21/2022
Google Vision & Hearing Forms Available HERE

 


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