Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507140027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A doctor and several parents said some school systems refuse to help diabetic children with their medication or provide needed health services for students with other chronic illnesses such as asthma, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and cystic fibrosis.
Other divisions use unqualified personnel to provide the health services, they said.
"Just because a child lives in one school district, the health services should not be different," said Hampton Hylton, a pediatrician speaking for the Virginia Pediatric Society. "There should be a comprehensive policy for the entire state."
He told a Blue Ribbon Commission on School Health that some school systems won't help with providing insulin or testing for diabetic children.
The commission was appointed by Gov. George Allen at the request of the General Assembly. It will make recommendations on school health programs and services.
A half-dozen parents had similar complaints about the lack of health services for students with chronic illnesses. Some said they thought their diabetic children were in a "dangerous environment" in schools because they lacked confidence in school personnel to care for them.
Hylton said the pediatricians also are concerned that schools sometimes lack policies for the safe storage and administration of medications.
He said doctors can work with schools in creating guidelines for the medical management of special conditions, both routine and emergency situations, in caring for students with complex medical conditions.
Hylton said local school health advisory boards and school nurses can help provide links among the school, the child's physician and the community.
Several school officials told the commission that most school systems don't have enough school nurses to provide trained personnel for the needed health care for all students, especially in dispensing medications.
Salem Superintendent Wayne Tripp said there has been a large increase in the number of children taking medications, particularly for attention deficit disorder. He said it's not unusual for 50 children in a 500-pupil school to be taking medications.
Teacher aides and secretaries have to help dispense the drugs in some cases, Tripp said.
The state provides limited funds for student health services, he said, but it is not enough to hire school nurses and other trained personnel.
"If schools are to take on more health services, there is a need for more funding," Tripp said.
The Virginia Education Association wants the state to require that all school systems hire nurses and have at least one in every school.
Teachers are not trained to provide health services and dispense medication as many are being required to do, said Kitty Boitnott, speaking for the VEA.
"This is creating stress and worry for teachers who fear they will be sued if they make a mistake," Boitnott said. "The state must give more attention to the need for school nurses."
Lissy Runyon, public information officer for the Roanoke school system, said more state aid is needed to hire school nurses, particularly in cities such as Roanoke, where 53 percent of the schoolchildren come from economically disadvantaged households.
by CNB