Health Services

 

The primary purpose of our health center is health maintenance. To accomplish this goal, we work closely with staff, encouraging them to observe for special problems and report problems to the health center. Medical evaluations, first aid, and routine medical care are provided.

Kentucky School for the Blind provides 24-hour nursing care for minor illness or injury. All emergency care is provided by a hospital emergency room. Our health center is equipped with 6-beds and is staffed by a supervising nurse, three registered nurses. Our staff physician, Dr. Bernard Speevack, is on call 24-hours a day and makes bi-weekly rounds at the school.

Our Nurses are:

Connie Sea, RN, BSN Nurse Administrator Ext 319 7:00am-3:00pm

Sharon Powell, RN Ext 309 7:00am-3:00pm

Phyllis Vincent, RN Ext 309 11:00pm-7:00am

Susan Miller, RN Ext 309 3:00pm-11pm

Emma Payne, RN Ext 309 Part-time

Staff Physicians:

Pediatrician is Dr. Bernard Speevack – 266-1421

Dentist is Dr. Raymond McMillan – 447-3962

Fax Number: 502-897-1282

Nurses cannot give medication without a doctor’s order – this applies to any and all meds, including over the counter. A signed parental consent form (See school entry form on page) needs to be in the students chart. This consent explains to parents that a written prescription is needed for all medications, including over the counter medication, which are to be given at school.

KSB's Communicable Disease Policy

A student will be retained in the Health Center when:

*The policy of short term admission to the Health Center always is based on medical opinion by the supervising R.N. on duty and/or physician. If either makes a prognosis that is short term the student may be allowed to convalesce at K.S.B. otherwise all students who do not meet this criteria, parents will be called and will be expected to pick up their child for transportation home with a recommendation for the child to see his or her family physician. Nurses should always be sensitive to parents who can not get to Louisville to pick up their child. Try to work out a plan with the parent’s input and remember the child’s security comes first.

 

PARENT’S EXPECTATIONS OF KSB HEALTH CENTER

The primary purpose of our medical department is health maintenance. To accomplish this goal we work very closely with parents or guardians encouraging them to play an active role in the decision making process.

Parents can expect that:

1. Medications and treatments prescribed by a doctor will be given as ordered.

2. Children can see our staff physician on Monday and Thursday mornings at 7:15am.

3. Children will be admitted to the Health Center should the need arise. Parents will be consulted when the nursing supervisor feels the child needs to be at home.

4. Parents will be notified as soon as possible should a child be admitted to the Health Center overnight or need emergency care.

5. Parents will be notified when immunization certificates need to be up-dated. Immunization certificates must be current. This is state law. This is the parent’s responsibility.

6. Generally a nurse can be reached in the Health Center. Our nurses will be glad you called and will be happy to speak with you about any health concerns. Be sure you have the correct extension for the nurse on duty. If leaving a message, make sure it is left on the correct extension for the current shift in order to get a proper response (see shift and phone ext # by nurses name).

7. Staff will observe confidentiality. There may be times when it is necessary to share information with other staff members who care for your child.

8. Staff will respect your desires and needs.

 

OUR EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS:

1. A child must be well when returning to school. (Children will be put back on the local school district’s bus and returned home if he or she arrives at KSB with a fever or illness.)

2. Parents will inform us of any illnesses a child may have had at home.

3. Parents will provide and keep routine medications at school, please count or measure to make sure there will be enough until the next home visit. If a child runs out of a required medication (one that can not be missed) the parents will be expected to bring a refill to school or they will be required to come get student.

4. Parents will meet with us on admission day each fall to discuss medications, special problems and illnesses during the summer.

5. Parents will submit the required annual Physical Examination Form each fall. This is to be completed and signed by a family physician so that appropriate swimming and recreation programs can be planned. The same form is required annually from eye specialist.

6. Immunization Certificates must be kept up-to-date. Health Department regulations state that students cannot stay at school if this certificate is not current and updated.

7. Parents will take care of their children’s eye glasses except in emergency type situations.

8. Parents will take their children home if they have anything contagious such as measles, mumps, or other contagious conditions.

9. Parents will give us a copy of their hospitalization card. (Insurance cards, Medical Assistance card)

10. All medications must be purchased at home by the parent or guardian. Parents or guardian should always be responsible for knowing when a child will need refills. Please do-not send a doctor’s prescription for KSB personnel to fill. This is your responsibility. Please remember to make copy of the prescription for us before filling.