3414 Infectious Diseases
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In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases the superintendent will implement procedures assuring that all school buildings are in compliance with State Board of Health rules and regulations regarding the presence of persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous to the public health. Such procedures will also prescribe the steps to remove the danger to others.
The district will require that the parents/guardians complete a medical history form at the beginning of each school year. The school nurse may use such reports to advise the parent of the need for further medical attention and to plan for potential health problems in school.
The board authorizes the school principal to exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a Licensed Healthcare Provider (LHP) or is suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations within the most current Infectious Disease Control Guide, provided by the State Department of Health and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The principal and/or school nurse will report the presence of suspected case or cases of reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as required by the State Board of Health. The district and its staff will treat all information concerning a student's present and past health condition as confidential. The principal will cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation of the source of the disease.
The fact that a student has been tested for a sexually transmitted disease, the test result, any information relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease, and any information regarding drug or alcohol treatment for a student must be kept strictly confidential. If the district receives authorization to release information, the district may disclose information pursuant to the restrictions in the release.
A school principal or designee has the authority to send an ill child home without the concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, the district must notify the local health officer. The local health officer is the primary resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in the community and school. The local health officer, in consultation with the superintendent, can take whatever action deemed necessary to control or eliminate the spread of disease, including closing a school.
Legal References:
Chapter 70.02 RCW Medical records – health care information access and disclosure
RCW 28A.210.010 Contagious diseases, limiting contact – Rules
Chapter 246-110 WAC Contagious diseases – School districts and day care centers
Management Resources:
Policy and Legal News February 2013; August 2018
ADOPTED: 09/24/1992
REVISED: 02/23/95; 10/25/07; 06/25/13; 5/23/19Procedure No. 3414P Infectious Diseases
Certain microorganisms in the body cause infectious disease. Infectious diseases may or may not be communicable or in a contagious state.
The district may control diseases in a contagious state by excluding from the classroom or by referring the student for medical attention. Staff members must advise the school nurse and principal or designee when a student exhibits symptoms of an infectious disease based on the criteria outlined in this procedure. Staff should provide the school nurse, principal, or designee with as much health information as is known about the case in a timely manner so that appropriate action can be initiated. (See Infectious Disease Control Guide for School Staff.)
List of Reportable Diseases
In consultation with the school nurse, the district will report suspected disease or disease with known diagnosis to the local health department as indicated on the Notifiable Conditions page of the Washington Department of Health’s website.
Cluster of Cases
The occurrence of any generalized (covering greater than 75% of the body) rash with or without fever, cough, runny nose, and reddened eyes in a school MUST be reported IMMEDIATELY to the school nurse who will in turn report as necessary to the local health department. Localized rash cases diagnosed as unrelated to a contagious disease, such as diaper rash, poison oak, etc. need not be reported. In addition to rash illnesses, any unusual cluster of infectious disease must be reported to the school nurse.
Identification and follow-up- The length of absence from school for a student ill from a contagious disease is determined by the directions given in the Infectious Disease Control Guide or instructions provided by the health care provider, or instructions from the local health officer.
- The principal has the final responsibility for enforcing all exclusions.
- Follow-up of suspected communicable disease cases should be carried out in order to determine any action necessary to prevent the spread of the disease to additional children.
Reporting at Building Level
A student with a diagnosed reportable condition will be reported by the school principal or designee to the local health officer (or state health officer if local health officer is not available) as per schedule.- When symptoms of communicable disease are detected in a student who is at school, the regular procedure for the disposition of ill or injured students will be followed unless the student is fourteen years or older and the symptoms are of a sexually transmitted disease. In those instances the student has confidentiality rights that prohibit notification of anyone but the health department. In all other instances, the principal or designee will:
- Call the parent/guardian or emergency phone number to advise them of the signs and symptoms;
- Determine when the parent/guardian will pick up the student;
- Keep the student isolated but observed until the parent/guardian arrives;
- Notify the teacher of the arrangements that have been made prior to removing the student from school; and
- Notify the school nurse to ensure appropriate health-related interventions are in place.
First Aid Procedures
- Students should be asked to wash their own minor wound areas with soap and water under staff guidance when practicable. If performed by staff, wound cleansing should be conducted in the following manner:
1. Soap and water are recommended for washing wounds. Individual packets with cleansing solutions or saline can also be used;
2. Gloves must be worn when cleansing wounds which may put the staff member in contact with wound secretions or when contact with any bodily fluids is possible;
3. Gloves and any cleansing materials will be discarded in a lined trash container that is secured and disposed of daily according to WAC 296-823 – Occupational exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and included in the most recent OSPI Infectious Disease Control Guide;
4. Hands must be washed before and after treating the student and after removing the gloves; and
5. Treatment must be documented in a health log program. - Thermometers will be handled in the following manner:
1. Only disposable thermometers or non-mercury thermometers with disposable sheath covers and/or temporal scan thermometers should be used when taking student's temperatures; and
2. Disposable sheath covers will be discarded in a lined trash container that is secured and disposed of daily. Temporal scan thermometers will be disinfected after each use.
Handling of Body Fluids
- Body fluids of all persons should be considered to contain potentially infectious agents (germs). Body fluids include blood, semen, vaginal secretions, drainage from scrapes and cuts, feces, urine, vomitus, nasal discharge, saliva, tears and respiratory secretions;
- Gloves must be worn when direct hand contact with body fluids is anticipated (e.g., treating nose bleeds, bleeding abrasions), when handling clothes soiled by body fluids (e.g., urine and/or feces), when diapering children, and when sanitizing spaces used for diapering. Hand washing is the most important intervention for preventing the spread of disease and must take place after gloves are removed and between care of multiple students;
- Used gloves must be discarded in a secured lined trash container and disposed of daily according to WAC 296-823 – Bloodborne Pathogens and included in the most recent OSPI Infectious Disease Control Guide. Hands must then be washed thoroughly;
- Self-treatment of minor injury, when reasonable, will be encouraged;
- Sharps will be disposed in an approved container. Sharps containers must be maintained upright throughout use, be tamper-proof and safely out of students’ reach, be replaced routinely and not be allowed to overfill;
- General cleaning procedures will include use of a 10% bleach solution to kill norovirus and C.difficile spores.
For other universal precautions, the district will comply with WAC 296-823- Bloodborne Pathogens and the OSPI Infectious Disease Control Guideline.
Treatment of Students with Chronic Medical Conditions (e.g., HIV; AIDS; Hepatitis)
On the disclosure that a student has been identified as having Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Infectious Hepatitis the superintendent, principal, parent/guardian, local health officer, school nurse and the student’s licensed healthcare provider will confer as necessary and determine the appropriate placement of the student. The student will be accommodated in a least restrictive manner, free of discrimination, without endangering the other students or staff. The student may only be excluded from school on the written concurrence of the public health officer and the student's licensed healthcare provider, that remaining or returning to school would constitute a risk either to the student or to employees or other students.
All discussions and records will be treated as confidential, consistent with RCW 70.24.105.
Release of information regarding the testing, test result, diagnosis or treatment of a student for a sexually transmitted disease, HIV, drug, alcohol, mental health treatment, family planning, or abortion may be made only as pursuant to an effective release and only to the degree permitted by the release. To be effective, a release must be signed, dated, must specify to whom the release may be made, and the time period for which the release is effective. Students fourteen and older must authorize disclosure regarding HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, or reproductive healthcare issues. Students thirteen and older must authorize disclosure regarding drug, alcohol or mental health treatment. Students of any age must authorize disclosure regarding family planning or abortion. Parents/guardians must authorize disclosure pertaining to younger students.
Any disclosure made pursuant to a release regarding reproductive healthcare, including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, drug treatment, or alcohol treatment must be accompanied by the following statement:“This information has been disclosed to you from records whose confidentiality is protected by state law. State law prohibits you from making any further disclosure of it without the specific written consent of the person to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by state law. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is not sufficient for this purpose.”
The district will ensure that newly hired school district employees receive the HIV/AIDS training regarding:
- History and epidemiology of HIV/AIDS;
- Methods of transmission of HIV;
- Methods of prevention of AIDS including universal precautions for handling of body fluids;
- Current treatment for symptoms of HIV and prognosis of disease progression;
- State and federal laws governing discrimination of persons with HIV/AIDS; and
- State and federal laws regulating confidentiality of a person’s HIV antibody status.
The district will ensure that new employees receive training within six months from the first day of employment in the district.
Continuing employees will receive information, within one year of district receipt from OSPI, on new discoveries or changes in accepted knowledge of transmission, prevention, and treatment for HIV/AIDS.
(The following is district developed)
Cleaning and/or Disinfecting Contaminated Surfaces and Rugs- Intermediate level disinfectant (e.g. household bleach dilution [1:10] isopropyl alcohol, Lysol (1%) or Tri-quat) should be used to clean surfaces contaminated by body fluids. Such disinfectants will kill fungi, tubercle bacillus and viruses. The disinfectant chosen should be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in medical facilities.
- Hard surfaces should be cleaned in the following manner:
1. Put gloves on both hands.
2. Remove soil.
3. Apply disinfectant with mop or cloth.
4. Dispose of water in toilet or sink designed for contaminated water.
5. If cloths and towels are used, place in plastic bag to be sent to laundry.
6. Place paper towels, gloves and other disposable items in a secured, lined trash container and discard daily.
7. Wash hands thoroughly. - Rugs should be handled in the following manner:
1. Apply sanitary absorbent agent.
2. Allow to dry. Vacuum. If necessary, mechanically remove soil with dustpan and broom.
3. Apply rug shampoo using a germicidal detergent.
4. Re-vacuum.
5. Rinse dustpan and broom in disinfectant.
6. Discard non-reusable cleaning equipment in a secured, lined trash container and discard daily.
Handling of Soiled Clothing, Blankets, Pillowcases
- Wear gloves when handling clothing contaminated with blood or body secretions. If clothing is to be sent home or to laundry, place in plastic bag and tie securely. At times, a heavily soiled article of clothing must be discarded rather than washed. If so, discard in a lined trash container that is secured and disposed of daily.
- If washing clothing or bedding at school, wash separately in soap and water on wash cycle. If material is bleachable, add 1/2 cup household bleach to wash cycle.
- If not colorfast, add intermediate level disinfectant to wash cycle.
ADOPTED: 09/24/1992
REVISED: 02/23/95; 10/25/07; 06/25/13; 10/24/13; 5/23/19 - The length of absence from school for a student ill from a contagious disease is determined by the directions given in the Infectious Disease Control Guide or instructions provided by the health care provider, or instructions from the local health officer.
3000 Policies
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QUALIFICATIONS OF ATTENDANCE AND PLACEMENT
3110 Admission and Attendance
3114 Part-time, Home-based, or Off-Campus Students
3115 Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services
3116 Students in Foster Care
3120 Enrollment
3122 Excused and Unexcused Absences
3123 Withdrawal Prior to Graduation
3124 Removal of Student during School Hours
3125 Release of Student during School Day
3126 Child Custody
3131 District Attendance Area Transfers
3140 Release of Resident Students
3141 Nonresident Students
3142 International Exchange Students
3143 District Notification of Juvenile Offenders
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3200 Student Rights and Responsibilities
3205 Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
3210 Nondiscrimination
3211 Gender-Inclusive Schools
3220 Freedom of Expression
3223 Freedom of Assembly
3224 Student Dress
3225 School-Based Threat Assessment
3226 Interviews and Interrogations of Students on School Premises
3230 Student Privacy and Searches
3231 Students Records
3232 Parent and Student Rights in Administration of Surveys Analysis or Evaluations
3235 Protection of Student Personal Information
3240 Student Conduct Expectations and Reasonable Sanctions
3241 Student Discipline
3242 Closed Campus
3243 Student Driving
3244 Prohibition of Corporal Punishment
3245 Students and Telecommunication Devices
3246 Use of Isolation, Restraint and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
STUDENT WELFARE
3410 Student Health
3412 Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
3413 Student Immunization and Life Threatening Conditions
3414 Infectious Diseases
3415 Accommodating Students with Diabetes
3416 Medication at School
3417 Catheterization
3418 Response to Student Injury or Illness
3419 Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications
3420 Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response
3421 Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Prevention
3422 Student Sports – Concussion, Head Injury and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
3424 Opioid-Related Overdose Reversal
3432 Emergencies
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
3510 Associated Student Bodies
3515 Student Incentives
3520 Student Fees, Fines, Charges
3530 Student Fund Raising Activities Involving Students