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DoDEA School Health Services Manual 2942.0 Volume 1 Revised: 2016 DRAFT
Since postural screenings are less objective than other screenings, and following
recommendations according to evidence-based guidelines concerning school based
postural/scoliosis screening, school nurses are not required, but may continue
incorporating this screening into their duties.
As a result, if scoliosis screening is undertaken, the American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that females
should be screened twice, at age 10 and 12 years (grades 5 and 7), and males once, at
age 13 or 14 years (grades 8 or 9). School nurses should coordinate postural screening
with their local medical command as not all health care providers support routine
screening of asymptomatic adolescents.
Prescreening education is essential to the success of a screening program. The
sponsor/parent/guardian may have concerns when they receive positive findings
without having prior knowledge of the condition and the screening program. School
nurses can involve the sponsor/parent/guardian by providing education about
observations they can make at home:
•
Check their dependent every 6 months (between the ages of 10-16 years for
early warning signs of scoliosis
•
Look directly at the back of their dependent for spinal curves or deviations
•
Notice if pant legs or skirt hems look uneven
•
Arrange for a medical evaluation, promptly, should they have any questions
Procedure for Postural Screening
Preparation for Screening
1.
Each student should be screened in private, in a separate room or
behind a screen, in gym clothes when possible. Boys and girls must
be screened separately and individually. The space must include a
writing surface where the screener can record information as the
physical findings are observed. It is strongly recommended that
females screen girls. If this is not possible, then a female chaperon
MUST be present at all times when girls are screened by a male
screener.
2.
To help ensure accurate screening results, the students must wear
proper attire.
•
Boys must remove their shirts and pants to the hips or wear
gym shorts, so that the waistline and hips can be observed.
•
Girls must wear a bathing suit top, halter top, or bra and lower
their pants to the hips or wear gym shorts, so that the waistline
and hips can be observed.