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Nurse Nancy’s Notes - Feb 2012

Back pack Safety

According to one backpack company 40 million teenagers carry a backpack to school  every day.  It is recommended that students carry no more than 10-15%  of their body weight.   Carrying too much weight  can be the cause of back and neck pain, along with not carrying the backpack properly.   Both straps should be on the shoulders so the weight is equally distributed.  One study showed 55% of the students carrying backpacks have more than the recommended  weight.   There has been  research on the outcome of carrying too much weight; University of Michigan found approximately 65% of adolescents’ visits  to the doctor were due to related backpack injuries.

Some suggestions to reduce the weight is to carry only those books required for that day’s classes.  Also to wear the backpack on both shoulders.  Heavily padded shoulder straps and a lumbar support may also be helpful.  And always bend your knees when picking up a heavy backpack.  If your child has physical limitations, select a backpack that fits the child’s size and has some adaptations  Also encourage your child to exercise in order to stay strong.

Nancy M. Baragary, RN

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Nurse Nancy's Notes - January 2012

Click here for information regarding heart ultrasound plus EKG screening that is being  done at Peace Health Southwest on Feb. 25, 2012 for student athletes.  Please read about this screening if you have an active athlete.  The screening detects hyhpertophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.  Registration is required and there is a cost.

Nurse Nancy's Notes------Some interesting medical facts:

When pregnant moms receive the flu vaccine, research has shown that the infants are less likely to be hospitalized for the flu.......50 % less likely.

 There is a new, thinner and shorter needle used in flu vaccines for those ages 18 through 64. It is called Fluzone and it is a protective as the traditional injections.                                                                                     *If you are allergic to eggs, or egg products, or previous flu vaccines, it is recommended that you do not use this product.

Hearts used for transplants have been place in a picnic cooler with ice and transferred to the hospital chosen.  Dr. Ardehali feels our organs are not to be on ice.  He is leading a study of transporting a beating heart  to the donor by putting it in a small heart lung machine and supplying it with the Donor's blood and a nutrient solution.   He feels it can be moved to greater distances and making more hearts available .  Although it is not approved in US it is approved in Europe.    (AARP, Sept/Oct 2011)

Tattoos for Diabetics....the miniature tattoo contains  nanosensors that lights up when the glucose levels drop or goes up.  You can apply it once a week and it wears off over time.  It will have to be scanned by a hand held device to observe the color changes and guide the insulin use.   Since it is still in research it may take a decade to have it offered for the public.  Mice are the only subjects at this time.l(AARP, Sept/Oct 2011)

Nurse Nancy's Notes - NOVEMBER 2011

I want to thank all of you that volunteered for the Health Screening.  I was so happy to meet some of our parents and high school students(from BGHS) who came to help. Everyone pitched in to work and made it fun.  Thank you all,  Nancy

I included some helpful hints from Solutions to help with the upcoming holidays...
                        There is no such thing as the "perfect" anything...from the table setting to your clothes selection-
                        Think "heart" and not money spent when making your gift selection
                        Time and fun are the best gifts we can give to our friends and family
                        Review your traditions, do they hold the same importance and meaning that they once did
                        Consder a family gift of spending time together with a fun game or activity
                        Honor each others holiday history
And take time to relax and enjoy the moment

Can’t afford to pay for your prescriptions?

There is information in the office for you.  WPDP (Washington Prescription Drug Program) offers a savings of 60% for generic drugs and up to 20% for brand name drugs.  We have applications for you to fill out and send in to WPDP or you can call 1-800-913-4146 or go to their web at www.rx.wa.gov.

Info on H1N1 virus                    H1N1 fact sheet for at-risk students

Note from Nurse Nancy

If your child has a fever (over 100 degrees)…keep him/her home!
If your child has had a fever in the last 24 hours…keep him/her home!
If your child has been fever free for 24 hours…send him/her to school!
If your child has vomited within the last 24 hours…keep him/her home!
If your child has not vomited within the last 24 hours…send him/her to school!
If you aren’t sure if your child is sick but has multiple complaints…may need to keep him/her home!  (You’ll have to use your judgment on this one!)
If your child has a new medical diagnosis…let the school nurse know!
If your child needs medication at school:
    Don’t send it with your child…you will be called!
    Don’t bring it to school without a doctor’s order…you will be called!
    Don’t send any opened medication…you will be called!
Why?
    Medication is to be brought in by a parent or designated adult.
The school must have a doctor’s order before we can administer ANY medication at school!
    We must have a new, unopened medication to start with!
Your assistance in helping us keep all children as healthy as possible is appreciated because….Healthy Children Learn Better!
Nancy Baragary, RN