Week 3: Health Issues

I’ve Never! 1. Give yourself 5 marks on your card. 2. First person shares name, where you live, and something you have never done but that someone else might have like, “I have never been to downtown fort Worth.” 3. Anyone that has done this must give up a mark. 4. The next person shares and everyone does same. 5. Continue until someone loses all of their counters.

Video

Infectious Disease Illnesses caused by infections with specific germs—viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Communicable diseases can be spread from one to another Spread by: The intestinal tract The respiratory tract Direct contact or touching Blood contact What are your fears about infectious disease? How do you identify infectious disease?

Confidentiality Is it all right to tell your assistant? How should you file the child’s medical records? Would you be willing to be tested for HIV if they would report to your boss?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Requires providers not to discriminate on the basis of disability or HIV Cannot refuse to take a child with HIV & disabilities unless: church operated Has a secondary infection Would cause an undue burden on program or fundamentally alter program

What would you do? 1. Parent informs you they are HIV positive but not child 2. Told by a friend that a child is HIV infected that you care for 3. You discover the classmate of your 2 year old is HIV positive 4. One of the teachers at the center tells you she is HIV positive 5. You discover your infant’s caregiver is HIV positive

What does licensing say? Each group will take a section and summarize

Policies of Care for Health Do not assume that a child is healthy--- assume that he may not be! Establish requirements for health with parents that promote health Provide appropriate medical forms Conduct a daily health check Be vigorous about hand washing for all Use universal precautions

Establish requirements for health with parents Include stated and written policies on: What temperature is too much to be in care and how long after fever (without a fever reducer) before children can return What symptoms exclude children from care, including color of nasal drainage, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes. Be specific by describing and telling how long after symptoms disappear before return. How soon after notification that a child is sick must a parent come to pick them up before a late fee is charged.

Provide appropriate medical forms: Permission to give medications. Remember don’t give even Tylenol or use antibiotic ointment unless you have written permission from the parent. A blanket permission for such things can be included in enrollment forms, but be specific about what products you will use. Permission for emergency treatment. Include doctor to contact, hospital to take them to, and emergency permission to receive treatment for child. Have this notarized.

Conduct a daily health check When children come into your home each morning do a quick, routine check including: asking parent how their night and morning was including did they sleep and eat feeling their head to see if they are hot check eyes and head for conjunctivitis and lice check their head, legs, and arms for rashes or signs of abuse when you change babies or toddlers check back for signs of unusual bruises whether or not child seems lethargic, out of sorts, or is behaving strangely. These checks should be done discretely if parents are there or you can wait until parent is gone. With problems inform parent at once and isolate child if you think they might be contagious.

Be vigorous about hand washing for all. Children should wash hands after toileting (even babies need their hands washed after being changed), after wiping their noses, using tissues, touching animals, going outside, and before eating. Caregivers must do the same. Keeping a bottle of liquid hand wash that doesn’t require water handy and disinfectant wipes will cut down on germs. Hands should be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds before rinsing. Identify a hand washing song such as ”The ABC song” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and have the children (and you) sing as they wash to make sure they take sufficient time. Be sure to wash back of hands, knuckles, between fingers and wrists. Remember that when you are diapering and preparing food it is easy to spread disease so be extra vigilant about hand washing before food preparation.

What are Universal Precautions? Procedures that protect you from infection due to contamination by blood or disease They include procedures that you follow They include procedures the children follow

Universal Precautions for Children Check outdoor areas before play Teach children never to touch a syringe Teach children not ot touch anyone else’s blood Don’t let children share toothbrushes Encourage child to wash his own wounds and use tissue for bleeding Promote nonaggressive behavior Teach children to wash hands after toileting, wiping noses, before eating

Scenarios 1. You’re on a field trip when Suzanne falls and cuts her chin. It bleeds profusely. 2. You are in the center’s play yard when Jesse falls and cuts his head. There is a lot of blood, and you have neither your gloves nor your first aid kit. 3. Picture yourself in the nap room at your child care center. You’re alone on duty, and the children area all asleep. Max gets a nosebleed. 4. Amy in the toddler class bites Randy and draws blood. 5. Avery is playing in the block center and he suddenly begins throwing up and throws up on the blocks, floor, and two other children 6. Annie, 3, has asthma and suddenly begins turning blue and is having trouble breathing