Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115514

Kaye Bender, RN, PhD, FAAN, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Nursing, Professor and Dean, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, 601-984-6220, kbender@umsmed.edu

Evidence exists that school nursing services strengthen the educational process by modifying or removing physical and mental health related barriers to learning for individual students, and that they function at the core of comprehensive school health programs. There is also evidence that they are a factor in the reduction of teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, tobacco use, and school dropout rates. The state's existing models of school health had provided needed school health services; however, a gap was identified in the percentage of children who received health screenings under the provisions of the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. Public and private partnerships have provided funding to schools to establish RN-based certified EPSDT services. The project's goal is to assess whether a school health nurse trained in the administration of providing EPSDT services, basic nursing care, and general health education can impact educational progress and health status. The nurse works collaboratively with the local medical community to establish the screening program. Ultimate sustainability is achieved through Medicaid earnings, and there is no cost to the state for this project. Three phases of the project have been initiated and evaluated for the evidence of program on change in the educational system policies related to health services; on impact of early screenings on educational progress; and impact of nursing follow-up on health problems identified in the screening process. The paper will report on the evaluation based on screenings of more than 5,000 children over a three-year period of time.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to

• Identify components of a successful single RN school health clinic
• Discuss the evidence documented from a pilot project aimed at improving access to primary health screening linked to educational achievement and sustainability
• Describe the characteristics of a successful single RN school health clinic in a rural state
• Describe public agency systems changes affected by a single RN school nurse program in a rural state

Keywords: Child/Adolescent, Medicaid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation