A statewide virtual school nursing service was launched last week to address the school nurse shortage. It’s available to all K-12 schools.
If chosen for a grant, schools will have the option to use a specialized telehealth technology platform that can take students’ blood pressure, oxygen levels and more (costs schools $1,000 for the equipment) or use traditional phone consultation (free option).
The first round of applications are due tomorrow, but officials told WCRIS they will continue to accept applications until funding runs out.
Schools will be selected on a social vulnerability index, using information about students’ socioeconomic status, English proficiency and healthcare access.
Telenursing would significantly help private schools that can’t find or fund medical services, but it’s not meant to replace an in-person school nurse. Think of this service as only an on-call nurse that some health clinics offer for after-hour calls. This program can’t manage ongoing student health conditions or provide reports at student IEP evaluations.
Schools will have to collect consent forms for HIPAA and FERPA to use this service, which allow school staff to be present during a health screening.
The program is spearheaded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and CESA 6.
Go here to learn more about the program.
