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DoDEA School Health Services Manual 2942.0 Volume 1 Revised: 2016 DRAFT
to abnormal conditions than many of the screening tests. These observations are not
limited to any particular period of the day and should continue throughout the day as
students engage in various school activities. Teacher-nurse conferences are helpful in
understanding and sharing knowledge of students with health concerns.
F-6-2
Screening Program
In developing a school health services screening program the school nurse may
consider the following:
•
Age of the students to be examined (e.g., it may be advisable to screen the
kindergarten class in the classroom where they will feel more secure; for
older students, another location would be appropriate).
•
Classroom schedules.
•
Time involved in the screening (e.g., audiometric testing takes approximately
two to five minutes per student).
•
Available equipment. Is there equipment available for multiple screenings, or
must screening be done individually? Is the equipment shared with other
schools, and if so, what is their schedule?
•
Available locations for screening. Is the area used for other purposes? If so,
will the screening have to be scheduled over a period of time? Will the times
available allow for checking the students who need to be examined? Is a
quiet area available for audiometric screening? Is a private area available for
height/weight/BMI, blood pressure or postural screening?
•
Available medical facility assistance. To what extent will the local medical
treatment facility assist in the screening program? Cooperation and
coordination with the local medical facility saves times on lengthy
appointments and provides identification of students in need of service.
•
Provisions for health instruction units. Appropriate materials that support the
screening program should be distributed to the classroom teacher. Or the
school nurse may choose to conduct lessons on the importance of a particular
screening, how the screening will be conducted, and a practice session to
give students a better understanding of what the screening involves. DoDEA
Health Education content standards are located at:
http://www.dodea.edu/Curriculum/healthEducation/standards.cfm.
•
Provisions for coverage of the health office during screening(s). Coverage
should be arranged with the principal.
F-6-3
Prior to Screening Students
The school-wide screening program should be coordinated with the principal,
teaching staff and medical and clinic support staff (e.g., physical therapy, occupational
therapy, optometry, audiology, dental, etc.). The screening program involves the
following: