Infectious Diseases & Pandemics

GUIDELINES 

1. The Principal should be notified if a child is carrying an infectious virus at the child’s enrolment or if an already enrolled child becomes an infectious virus carrier that the parents/caregiver be encouraged to inform the principal.

2. The information to be stored on individual’s health profile on the student management system and treated with strict privacy.

3. The information is disclosed only to essential personal i.e. teaching staff (health practitioners, public health nurse, doctor and/or nurse only if the child requires medical treatment)

4. The child with an infectious virus will travel with the knowledgeable staff member on school outings.

5. Children encouraged to keep their own injures covered and be given regular instruction on dealing with playground injuries especially those involving blood.

THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE

GUIDELINES   

For infection control of all body fluids i.e. blood (including nose bleeds), vomit, urine, faeces, saliva, nose mucous:

1. Before treating a child, make sure you cover any cuts and abrasions on yourself in a water-proof dressing.

2. Wear gloves for all procedures.

3. Don’t delay treatment of a child who is bleeding under any circumstances because gloves are not immediately available. Use an absorbent barrier such as a towel, paper towel, handkerchief, etc OR get the child to apply pressure to the bleed themselves. 

4. Dispose of used gloves, soiled dressings, tissues etc in a sealed plastic bag(s) and place in the skip bin yourself.

5. Wipe clean and then sterilise all surfaces and contaminated instruments with a fresh mix of 1 part bleach to 9 volumes of cold water.  Soak for 30 minutes and then wipe dry.

6. Wash hands thoroughly when you have finished.

7. Make sure that all First Aid Kits include disposable wipes or towels, gloves, bags for waste, a skin disinfectant bleach and appropriate mixing/measuring containers, or hypochlorite solution/granules, with instructions for use.

Regular checks are to be made to ensure articles mentioned above are always available in the First Aid Kit.

HEAD LICE

Head lice are a continuing problem at school and must be carefully monitored.  At the first sign of head lice the teachers should follow the following procedures:

1. Identify the children who have head lice without causing harm to their feelings

2. Notify the Principal of the problem

3. Principal will notify the parents and advise them of situation

4. Student is to remain at home until hair is treated

If cases of head lice are repetitive in any families, the principal will consult with the public health nurse to discuss further action.

Pandemic Procedure 

Rationale: To ensure staff, pupils and the school community, in the event of a pandemic outbreak being declared, are as ready as can be reasonably expected. 

Purposes: 

1. To prepare a Pandemic Action Plan.

2. To train staff and pupils in their roles and responsibilities in the event of a pandemic outbreak.

3. To inform the school community in their roles and responsibilities in the event of a pandemic outbreak.

4. To provide all necessary equipment in the event of a pandemic outbreak.

Guidelines: 

1. The Pandemic Manager will be the Principal

2. The school will follow guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education

3. Action Plan will include:

• • The school protocol for dealing with sick staff / students.

  • Cleaning requirements and practices in case of a pandemic outbreak.

  • Consultation procedures to be used in each stage of pandemic.

4. Follow all directions and instructions from the Medical Officer of Health and Ministry of Health website: www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza

5. Ensure all staff and pupil contact details are up to date and ready for the Ministry of Health if requested.

6. Make staff aware of symptoms and procedures in the event that pupils become affected including the sending of pupils home.

7. Parents should be made aware that children showing symptoms specfic to the pandemic will not be permitted to come to school.  Keep Health Authorities informed.

8. Keep the community informed of updated status of the outbreak.

9. The Medical Officer of Health will make the decision if the school is to close.

10. Find out more about pandemic planning on these websites: www.moh.govt.nz and   www.minedu.govt.nz.