Project School Care: Integrating Children Assisted by Medical Technology into Educational Settings

Abstract

The increasing number of children assisted by medical technology in the U.S. has led to a need for systematic planning for the children's care in community settings such as schools. Project School Care in Massachusetts provides consultation to school systems as schools respond to the challenge of integrating children assisted by medical technology into educational settings. The model of practice described includes the step-wise planning process and the ensuing training, enrollment, and monitoring procedures. Implications are explored with particular emphasis on upgrading of skills at all medical and educational levels. More input from school health personnel in administrative decision-making around enrollment of children with special health care needs is recommended. For these children, a health care plan should be incorporated into their Individualized Education Plans and into their school records.

The Integration of Children Dependent on Medical Technology Into Public Schools

“…General information about the student's condition, health care needs, and the emergency plan should be included in their training (Heller & Tumlin, 2004;Palfrey et al, 1992). N.J.'s principal and teacher received this information during their integration planning meetings and continue to remain updated by frequent communication with the school nurse, his parents, and home health nurse.…”

SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Perceptions of School Nurses and School Teachers

“…Children survive many of these health problems, and because the technology to sustain them exists, significant numbers of these children maintain a functional level that allows them to participate in the formal educational process. In fact, 20,000 to 100,000 children require daily nursing assistance because of special technology (Palfrey et al, 1992). Because the social, economic, and environmental problems that influence those numbers are expected to persist rather than abate, special needs children (SNC) will continue to be a reality within the school systems.…”

Opening the Door Further: Integrating Students with Complex Health Care Needs

“…Similar to an IEP that articulates the ways an individual's educational needs will be met, a health care plan specifies the ways an individual's health care needs should be met (Lehr & Macurdy, in press;Palfrey et al, 1992). The specifics of plans vary, depending on the needs of the student.…”

“…Palfrey et al (1992) recommended two types of training-general and child-specific. General training is designed to demystify the student's health care needs and to provide sufficient information for those not directly responsible for health care services to respond to emergencies.…”

“…The specifics of plans vary, depending on the needs of the student. Palfrey et al (1992) recommend that for each individual child, they should include the following: 0 a brief health history 0 a specification of special health care needs 0 a statement of the baseline health status 0 a description of the medications and special dietary needs 0 the transportation requirements of the child's special equipment needs 0 a description of possible problems and interventions and emergency plans for both school and transit 0 documentation of contact with local fire department, EMT services, and emergency rooms.…”