Digital Health History Form for Students
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Digital Health History Form for Students
Keeping student health information up to date is an important part of school nursing practice. Knowing your students' current health conditions can help you plan for their needs, identify students who may need an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP) or Emergency Action Plan (EAP), and provide appropriate care throughout the school day.
A digital student health history form can provide an easy and organized way for parents and guardians to share updated health information with the school nurse.
Health History Purpose
- Current health concerns
- Explanation of the health concern
- Description of how the health concerns impacts the student's school day
- Requested accommodations the might benefit the student throughout the school day
- Doctor contact information
As you can see, this digital health history form provides parents a chance to subjectively provide the school nurse with an overview of their child's current health conditions. The school nurse can then ask for needed / required follow up information from the student's parents and/or physician.
How To Collect A Student Health History
Have you ever had a parent call with an important health update—or had a student casually mention something you didn't previously know?
Those conversations can provide valuable information, but having updated health information documented in writing can make follow-up much easier.
A digital health history form can be shared with families at the beginning of the school year, during registration, when a student enrolls, or anytime a student's health status changes.
If you're using a Google Form, remember to review your notification and response settings so you have a reliable process for knowing when new information has been submitted.
After reviewing a response, follow up with the family as needed to:
- Clarify health information
- Request additional medical documentation or healthcare provider orders
- Discuss school accommodations or supports
- Determine whether an IHP, EAP, 504 Plan, or other documentation may be appropriate
- Discuss how relevant health information will be communicated to appropriate school staff
Why a Health History Is Important
Accurate student health histories are important. Knowing what to do with that information is even more important.
Digital Health Records
Many schools use electronic student information systems to maintain student records. Determine how health information should be documented within your district's system and whether health conditions can be entered, tracked, and reported.
Taking the time to maintain accurate records throughout the year can make reviewing student needs—and preparing end-of-year reports—much easier.
Health Condition Lists
Many moons ago, I created Excel spreadsheets to track student health concerns because that was the best option I had!
Thankfully, today's student information systems often make this much easier. Depending on your system, you may be able to generate reports by health condition, grade level, graduation year, teacher, or other criteria.
These reports can help you understand the health needs within your school population and provide valuable data when preparing reports for administrators, supervisors, or your school board.
Individualized Healthcare Plans
Information gathered through a health history can help identify students who may need an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP).
Review each student's individual needs along with your district policies, state requirements, nursing standards, and professional nursing judgment when determining appropriate health planning and documentation.
Emergency Action Plans
Students with health conditions that have the potential to become a medical emergency during the school day may require an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
The health history can help identify students who need additional follow-up with their parent/guardian and healthcare provider to ensure appropriate emergency plans, orders, medications, and supplies are available at school.
Medication Forms
Knowing which medications a student takes can help the school nurse understand the bigger picture of the student's health.
If medication needs to be administered during school hours, follow your state requirements and district policies regarding healthcare provider orders, parent/guardian authorization, medication documentation, and administration.
Nursing Procedures
Health history information may also identify students who require nursing procedures during the school day, such as tube feedings, catheterization, suctioning, dressing changes, or other skilled nursing care.
Follow applicable state requirements, district policies, provider orders, and nursing standards when developing an appropriate plan of care for these students.
One Form Can Be the Starting Point
A student health history form doesn't replace nursing assessment or individualized follow-up. Instead, it gives the school nurse a starting point.
The information families provide can help you identify students who need additional assessment, documentation, healthcare provider orders, emergency planning, accommodations, or other school health support.
And having a consistent system for collecting that information can make the process much more manageable—especially at the beginning of a busy school year.
Looking for an easier way to collect student health information?
My editable Digital Student Health History Form can be customized for your school and shared electronically with families.
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