School wants us to sign a crazy medical release form..

[tiggger1]

I am just curious---why would some of you be so against signing the form?

What would be the issue with the nurse or any other school employee having your child's medical history? DD had mono in 6th grade and has strep almost yearly, she has a type of allergy that causes her to break out in hives when she goes from one extreme temp to another, she has a low normal temp so what would be just above normal for some people would be a low grade temp for her, she has seasonal allergies. That is basically all they would see and I wouldn't really have an issue with it at all, so I am confused as to why anyone would be upset by it.

Same with insurance information. Why is it an issue? For a child to participate in basically anything at school, proof of insurance has to be provided. So, I have sent several copies of dd's insurance card down. Not sure what would be the problem with them having that?

I like being assured that if there is an emergency and if for some strange unknown reason, let's say they have to contact my sister or dd's brothers instead of me the school will have the necessary information to have her treated rather than trying to make sure that all of her emergency contacts have that information.

Im not opposed to having the school having the medical history. If they need something, they can ask me and if I feel they need it I will get it for them. My son is on an IEP so the school has a ton of his records. I am opposed to the nurse/school being able to call the doctors office and asking for whatever records they want....

 

[sam_gordon]

I am just curious---why would some of you be so against signing the form?

What would be the issue with the nurse or any other school employee having your child's medical history? DD had mono in 6th grade and has strep almost yearly, she has a type of allergy that causes her to break out in hives when she goes from one extreme temp to another, she has a low normal temp so what would be just above normal for some people would be a low grade temp for her, she has seasonal allergies. That is basically all they would see and I wouldn't really have an issue with it at all, so I am confused as to why anyone would be upset by it.

Same with insurance information. Why is it an issue? For a child to participate in basically anything at school, proof of insurance has to be provided. So, I have sent several copies of dd's insurance card down. Not sure what would be the problem with them having that?

I like being assured that if there is an emergency and if for some strange unknown reason, let's say they have to contact my sister or dd's brothers instead of me the school will have the necessary information to have her treated rather than trying to make sure that all of her emergency contacts have that information.

You are correct in that in probably 99/100 times, there is no harm by a nurse having the information. HOWEVER, what happens when you run into the one nurse who thinks she knows better than doctors what is wrong with the child? What if, according to the nurse's diagnosis, she thinks the child doesn't need some prescribed medication and so refuses to give it?

I'm still waiting for an example where access to medical records is NECESSARY for the school. Even in an emergency, wouldn't it be more important to get the child stabilized and to an emergency room than it would be for a nurse to do a diagnosis? As mentioned, paramedics don't have access to the records of the people they treat. They manage to get the job done pretty well. What necessary information is in medical records that a nurse would need to know?

 

[Lynne M]

My son was in the hospitalized 4 days last month with a bad case of cellulitus. When he was released from the hospital, I was given a note for the school that stated he was hospitalized for an illness and when he was allowed to go back to school. I did tell her he had cellulitus, she also wanted to know what meds he was on, what meds he had in the hospital, she also wanted me to have a copy of his follow up. I asked her why she needed it and she said she wanted to make sure he was being treated correctly. she questioned the diagnosis and she kept saying that it sounded like he had MRSA and that if he did I was required by law to tell the school... thankfully he did not have MRSA but I am sure she was itching to see the medical records to make sure I was not lying to her...

Now see, this specific situation would make me refuse to sign #2 and #3. If for no other reason than this nurse's behavior. Way, way unprofessional.

 

[eliza61]

I am just curious---why would some of you be so against signing the form?

What would be the issue with the nurse or any other school employee having your child's medical history? DD had mono in 6th grade and has strep almost yearly, she has a type of allergy that causes her to break out in hives when she goes from one extreme temp to another, she has a low normal temp so what would be just above normal for some people would be a low grade temp for her, she has seasonal allergies. That is basically all they would see and I wouldn't really have an issue with it at all, so I am confused as to why anyone would be upset by it.

Same with insurance information. Why is it an issue? For a child to participate in basically anything at school, proof of insurance has to be provided. So, I have sent several copies of dd's insurance card down. Not sure what would be the problem with them having that?

I like being assured that if there is an emergency and if for some strange unknown reason, let's say they have to contact my sister or dd's brothers instead of me the school will have the necessary information to have her treated rather than trying to make sure that all of her emergency contacts have that information.

Hey LJ, for me is an issue of why they need it. My kids sports programs just needed proof that the kids where insured, we did not have to give them numbers. There isn't a hospital in this country that doesn't have a entire department that handles this so why does the school need it?
Same with number three, that leaves way too much leeway for abuse. Who does the nurse need to discuss my Childs health with? And why?

 

[luvsJack]

Im not opposed to having the school having the medical history. If they need something, they can ask me and if I feel they need it I will get it for them. My son is on an IEP so the school has a ton of his records. I am opposed to the nurse/school being able to call the doctors office and asking for whatever records they want....

but that is what I am asking, why are you opposed to that?

You are correct in that in probably 99/100 times, there is no harm by a nurse having the information. HOWEVER, what happens when you run into the one nurse who thinks she knows better than doctors what is wrong with the child? What if, according to the nurse's diagnosis, she thinks the child doesn't need some prescribed medication and so refuses to give it?

I'm still waiting for an example where access to medical records is NECESSARY for the school. Even in an emergency, wouldn't it be more important to get the child stabilized and to an emergency room than it would be for a nurse to do a diagnosis? As mentioned, paramedics don't have access to the records of the people they treat. They manage to get the job done pretty well. What necessary information is in medical records that a nurse would need to know?

I would think that by law she has to give any medications that are prescribed to the child. If she doesn't, then it would be my assumption that she could be fired. I would think that a nurse refusing to give meds would be a pretty big liability to the school system and she would be removed.

As for the emergency, my thought was that the information would be needed by the hospital. My thought was that let's say dd faints at school and ambulance is called. It would valuable for the paramedics and the hospital to know that she does or does not have a condition that causes fainting. Then let's say as she is going to the hospital, they are not able to contact me or dh; they would then call either my sister or one of my sons. If the school has the needed information on any medical conditions and medical insurance, then all dd's emergency contact has to do is show up and continue trying to reach one of us and I don't have to make sure that any of them have a copy of the insurance card or any of that.

Could dd be taken care of without any of that? Sure. But it may make it easier and things run a little smoother if they have it. And that, to me, is the important thing, so that she gets the best care possible.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My son was in the hospitalized 4 days last month with a bad case of cellulitus. When he was released from the hospital, I was given a note for the school that stated he was hospitalized for an illness and when he was allowed to go back to school. I did tell her he had cellulitus, she also wanted to know what meds he was on, what meds he had in the hospital, she also wanted me to have a copy of his follow up. I asked her why she needed it and she said she wanted to make sure he was being treated correctly. she questioned the diagnosis and she kept saying that it sounded like he had MRSA and that if he did I was required by law to tell the school... thankfully he did not have MRSA but I am sure she was itching to see the medical records to make sure I was not lying to her...

Now see, this specific situation would make me refuse to sign #2 and #3. If for no other reason than this nurse's behavior. Way, way unprofessional.

I disagree this was unprofessional. Part of her job is to protect the school community at large from contagious or potentially contagious outbreaks. It is in her job description, school policy and the professional standard of practice for school nurses. Conversations can and should take place about these things.

 

[kamik86]

Just knowing some of the unprofessional things that were discussed in our school about students that really shouldn't have been I would be nervous about schools knowing more then they had to. Now for most people no I doubt they would have any problem telling anyone about anything in their medical records, but there will always be a child with some medical issue the parents and child don't want the entire school to know about. This will be more and more true the older the children are. I'm not sure if this is an elementary school or a high school but in high school especially I could see quite a few students having a medical issue that the child and parents may not want the school nurse to know about.

 

[luvsJack]

Hey LJ, for me is an issue of why they need it. My kids sports programs just needed proof that the kids where insured, we did not have to give them numbers. There isn't a hospital in this country that doesn't have a entire department that handles this so why does the school need it?
Same with number three, that leaves way too much leeway for abuse. Who does the nurse need to discuss my Childs health with? And why?

I guess I would probably wonder why they need it or what prompted the request. But I would sign it. I just don't worry too much about someone gossiping about how many times my child has been to the dr. or has had strep or whatever they might find in those records. I guess if she had other conditions, I may feel differently.

For any activity here, we have to provide proof of insurance. A front and back copy is made of the card that gives them all the contact numbers, policy numbers, etc.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Seems like the school nurse is getting the blame for this type of form here but in reality, she probably had nothing to do with it, nor wants any part of it, either. Beauracracy at its finest. Yup, send out a confusing form which has little meaning and will serve no real purpose, but manage to get everyone fired up and angry at a person who doesn't necessarily deserve it. Great. Note to self: don't ever think about becoming a school nurse. Very few people understand the role and you're out there by yourself with little support for what you do.

 

[kamik86]

I disagree this was unprofessional. Part of her job is to protect the school community at large from contagious or potentially contagious outbreaks. It is in her job description, school policy and the professional standard of practice for school nurses. Conversations can and should take place about these things.

Acceptable would be to only ask if the student had ___ illness that needs to be reported. As soon as mom said No that is it. They don't need to know what they did have. They don't need to see proof of that.

 

[2binak]

#2 i allow the school nurse to give ANY school personnel any medical information about my child, that she feels important.

The only time I see #2 possibly happening is if there is a school employee who is also an EMT/paramedic. I have a family member who works at a public school and is also an EMT. If the nurse needs assistance while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, the nurse may need to share medical information with her. Maybe that is the type of scenario the school is thinking of?

I do think the question is too vague though and I wouldn't agree to it as it is written.

 

[RitaE]

I disagree this was unprofessional. Part of her job is to protect the school community at large from contagious or potentially contagious outbreaks. It is in her job description, school policy and the professional standard of practice for school nurses. Conversations can and should take place about these things.

Maybe.

I've experienced the school nurse who disagreed with the Doctor and tried to prevent my child from attending classes -- even though she had a signed and dated Doctor's form saying he had been examined, was under Doctor care, and was authorized to return to school.

I have no problem with a nurse requesting that a child be seen by a Provider before returning to class. But I do have a problem with a school nurse trying to override a child's Doctor once that care has been obtained.

I also had a school nurse once who gave me a list titled something like "School District XXXX Preferred Doctors" and tried to nudge me into changing Physicians. Way out of line.

 

[sam_gordon]

As for the emergency, my thought was that the information would be needed by the hospital. My thought was that let's say dd faints at school and ambulance is called. It would valuable for the paramedics and the hospital to know that she does or does not have a condition that causes fainting. Then let's say as she is going to the hospital, they are not able to contact me or dh; they would then call either my sister or one of my sons. If the school has the needed information on any medical conditions and medical insurance, then all dd's emergency contact has to do is show up and continue trying to reach one of us and I don't have to make sure that any of them have a copy of the insurance card or any of that.

I'm ASSUMING if the hospital needed medical history information, since the school should have the name of the primary doctor, the hospital could call the doctors and get any information needed. Again, when's the last time you've heard of paramedics having medical records information?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Acceptable would be to only ask if the student had ___ illness that needs to be reported. As soon as mom said No that is it. They don't need to know what they did have. They don't need to see proof of that.

There are at least two prolems with that. A) very few people know that much medically to be able to state that with absolute cerainty, and B) There are those that would purposefully be less than forthcoming in order to get their kid back into school. It is part of a nurse's job to have conversations with people about their health issues and doing so is not unprofessional or outside their scope of practice.

 

[kamik86]

There are at least two prolems with that. A) very few people know that much medically to be able to state that with absolute cerainty, and B) There are those that would purposefully be less than forthcoming in order to get their kid back into school. It is part of a nurse's job to have conversations with people about their health issues and doing so is not unprofessional or outside their scope of practice.

Honestly I don't care if people lie, if the diagnosis isn't the x that they need to know then they shouldn't be able to find out what it is. Just that it isn't x. Now if the required a doctors note that the child did not have x that would be fine with me... but under no circumstances do I think they should be allowed to know what other thing a child had and access to records just so they know it wasn't x.

 

[RitaE]

There are at least two prolems with that. A) very few people know that much medically to be able to state that with absolute cerainty, and B) There are those that would purposefully be less than forthcoming in order to get their kid back into school. It is part of a nurse's job to have conversations with people about their health issues and doing so is not unprofessional or outside their scope of practice.

A school nurse has a right to be informed of student health conditions as they relate to the child's time at school and as they relate to the safety of the rest of the school community.

The Nurse does not have the right to be involved and informed in every single aspect of a student's medical records. She has the right to open conversations and ask questions, but once she is told by the parent that they do not want to share that information and once she has confirmation that the child is under licensed medical care and is authorized to return to the school ... that's it. She doesn't have the right to pry further.

 

[mom2boys]

I disagree this was unprofessional. Part of her job is to protect the school community at large from contagious or potentially contagious outbreaks. It is in her job description, school policy and the professional standard of practice for school nurses. Conversations can and should take place about these things.

This child had a medical release to return to school. If the child was contagious, then the doctor would not have signed the release.

 

[Bob NC]

I'd sign it.

Unless on that particular day I was itching to get all upset about something.

 

[tiggger1]

Now see, this specific situation would make me refuse to sign #2 and #3. If for no other reason than this nurse's behavior. Way, way unprofessional.

a little back story on this.... my son gets eczema. He will get a break out if he has something that has one of his triggers. We are not sure exactly what the triggers are because it he might get a reaction from something one day and it never bothers him again.. ( we have an appointment with an allergist next month)

He had an a spot above his upper lip that looked like a pimple. The doctor saw it along with a couple other spots and told us to use his rx cream. a few days later it he managed to nick it when he was getting dressed. it was inflammed. I put the cream on it and sent him to school. the nurse called and wanted to know what it was. She was not quiet about letting me know that she did not think it was eczema and that she wanted him to get check out, she was being such a pain that I called the ped and they offered see him just to shut her up. they still said it was eczema but gave him a stronger cream.. and a note saying he was fine. unfortunately the new medicine they gave him caused it to heal too fast on the outside and trapped the bacteria which turned into an abscess and cellulitis. He was hospitalized because he needed IV meds for 4 days to get rid of the infection. The school nurse tried to tell me that if he needed the IV meds then he MUST have had MRSA and I was probably confused by the medical terminology. the only reason he had the IV meds is because the swelling in his face was affecting his breathing and they wanted to monitor it.

 

[focusondisney]

a little back story on this.... my son gets eczema. He will get a break out if he has something that has one of his triggers. We are not sure exactly what the triggers are because it he might get a reaction from something one day and it never bothers him again.. ( we have an appointment with an allergist next month)

He had an a spot above his upper lip that looked like a pimple. The doctor saw it along with a couple other spots and told us to use his rx cream. a few days later it he managed to nick it when he was getting dressed. it was inflammed. I put the cream on it and sent him to school. the nurse called and wanted to know what it was. She was not quiet about letting me know that she did not think it was eczema and that she wanted him to get check out, she was being such a pain that I called the ped and they offered see him just to shut her up. they still said it was eczema but gave him a stronger cream.. and a note saying he was fine. unfortunately the new medicine they gave him caused it to heal too fast on the outside and trapped the bacteria which turned into an abscess and cellulitis. He was hospitalized because he needed IV meds for 4 days to get rid of the infection. The school nurse tried to tell me that if he needed the IV meds then he MUST have had MRSA and I was probably confused by the medical terminology. the only reason he had the IV meds is because the swelling in his face was affecting his breathing and they wanted to monitor it.

So this nurse thinks the only bacteria that requires IV antibiotics is MRSA? I wouldn't be giving her access to anything.....