Dear Families,
I am writing to share important updates to our school health office policies regarding student vomiting and the administration of Tylenol/Ibuprofen. These changes align with the latest guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the CDC and are designed to better support our students while prioritizing their safety and well-being.
1. Updated Vomiting Policy
In accordance with MDH guidance, we have updated our vomiting policy:
Students will only be sent home if they vomit more than twice in a 24-hour period.
If a student vomits once, feels better afterward, and has no other concerning symptoms (e.g., fatigue, fever, diarrhea), they may remain at school based on nursing judgement. Students who vomit due to illness will be sent home by the nurse.
Before sending the student back to class, we will ensure they can keep fluids down.
This policy aims to minimize unnecessary absences while ensuring students' health needs are appropriately addressed. For more details, refer to the MDH best practice guidelines: MDH School Health Guidelines (Scroll down to Ill Student Visit section).
2. Tylenol/Ibuprofen Administration Policy
To ensure compliance with proper medical protocols and family preferences:
Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen will only be administered with prior parental approval.
We will contact parents or guardians each time to obtain consent before administering these medications.
Key Takeaways
Vomiting Policy: Students will be sent home only if they vomit more than twice in a 24-hour period. Students who vomit once and recover may remain at school, at the nurse's discretion.
Medication Administration: Tylenol or Ibuprofen will only be given after parental approval has been obtained.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about these updates. Thank you for your continued dedication to our school community!
Riley Ulbrich, RN-BSN, PHN, LSN, NREMT
District School Nurse