Do you consent to have your dc's medical information shared w/staff at school?

[allnaturalmom]

Here I am again... UGH!!! On the emergency medical consent form for school it lists an ending statement that gives permission for the child's necessary medical information to be shared w/staff who work w/the child. Is this standard? Do you consent to this?

I had to write in at the bottom about not allowing any vaccines, so there it is in writing. I do not want it blabbed all over the school about my dd's vax status! It is a small school and this would probably spread like wild fire! I do not want my dd signaled out/treated differently because of this.

Is it acceptable to write in w/a little carrot-arrow (^) 'do not' give my permission. Of course the font is like a size 1!

Has anyone run into this? Do you allow this?

tia!

[KoalaMommy]

Hmm, that would freak me out too. On the other hand, I'll give you an example of why it's useful. I suspect DD1 of having a genetic bleeding disorder that runs in my family. She is literally covered in bruises half the time, she gets one any time she falls or bumps into something (which is very often). We have had a school call DCF on us. I made sure their current school knew AND the teachers knew. She also gets bloody noses fairly regularly, which generally freak people out beyond belief. I would be called to come get her every time she got one if I hadn't let them know they were of little concern and to be expected given our situation.

But I understand your concern. I think the key is "necessary" medical information. Like if your child had bacterial meningitis, this would need to be communicated to the teachers and children in the class would need to be evaluated and/or treated. I think that's why it's in there. I don't think it's there for non-emergencies. But you could always clarify with the school and ask for the situations they use this in. Just tell them you're uncomfortable with giving blanket permission without understanding when and how they use it.

[KimberlyD0]

I would say yes. Especially with my second. Its a PITA having to explain to each teacher or staff worker that her leg is not covered in bruses its a congenital condition, and it would stop the calls to CAS over nothing.

Learned that with daycare.

besides even with it being shared thats only for those who need the information, like teachers, its not like their going to be sitting in the staff meeting conversing about it.

[caned & able]

I would say yes.

There is the HIPAA law that should protect you should your child's health record become the subject of idle gossip in the staff lounge.

Proving it is another thing.

[time4another]

I said no.

Even though my child carries an EpiPen and is PA, I would rather do the communicating and not the school.

HIPAA does not cover schools or their employees, I have not signed a HIPAA waiver for a school-ever.

I don't choose the school nurse as a personal healthcare provider, and only authorize her to perform certain functions. (emergency treatment, records collector) In the past 'screenings' have been done on my child without my prior knowledge/authorization. We have a HCP/dentist/eye doctor already.

If there is a condition that warrants me writing a letter to the school informing them of my child's health status, then I will happily do so. There is no need to discuss her medical status amongst the staff. (including her selective vax status)

I wrote DO NOT CONSENT over it and did not sign it.

Heather

[FernG]

Originally Posted by KimberlyD0

besides even with it being shared thats only for those who need the information, like teachers, its not like their going to be sitting in the staff meeting conversing about it.

Teachers do gossip about this kinda stuff over lunch when the admins aren't around. : Schools are mandated by the states to check various health issues. Sometimes the teachers, nurses, or office managers do the paperwork. So there could be several ppl looking in the health file.