Increasing Immunization Compliance

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Toole ◽  
Cynthia S. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Working Parents ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Access To Primary Care ◽  
The Impact ◽  
City Schools

School nurses often have the responsibility to ensure that students meet all immunization requirements for school entry and school attendance. In large inner-city school districts, many obstacles exist which make this task daunting and often result in lengthy absences and exclusions for students. It is critical that school nurses find creative and systematic ways to meet these challenges, which include working parents, lack of access to primary care, lack of transportation, cost of immunizations, poor compliance and follow-up, myths regarding immunizations, and the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) legislation. This article describes an immunization project that removed most of those barriers for high-risk students and gave the school nurses tools to succeed in achieving higher levels of immunization compliance in inner-city schools. Since the immunization project’s conception, compliance in the district has risen from an overall level of 50–60% to 90–100%, along with better record-keeping and the prevention of exclusions.

Elementary School Nurse Interventions: Attendance and Health Outcomes

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny C. Weismuller ◽  
Merry A. Grasska ◽  
Marilyn Alexander ◽  
Catherine G. White ◽  
Pat Kramer
Keyword(s):  
School Attendance ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Elementary Student ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Nursing Interventions ◽  
Record System ◽  
Regular School ◽  
Student Absenteeism ◽  
The Impact

Regular school attendance is a necessary part of the learning process; student absenteeism has a direct association with poor academic performance. School nurses can influence student attendance. This study describes the impact of school nurse interventions on student absenteeism and student health. A retrospective review of 240 randomly selected elementary student health folders and attendance records was conducted. School nurses were involved with 75% of high-absence students as compared to 66% of low-absence students; they were also more involved with students who had previously identified health conditions. There were no referrals to the school nurse for absenteeism and school nurse interventions were not targeted to attendance, despite 17% of students missing 11 or more school days. Nursing documentation was sparse and primarily task related. Few records contained entries of nursing diagnoses, interventions, or outcomes. Of the 134 interventions provided, only 56 (41.2%) had some information about the condition outcome, but it was insufficient to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions. Furthermore, the record system did not support the collection of standard information for interventions or outcomes from which effectiveness could be determined. Recommendations include establishment of an attendance referral policy and improved documentation systems, including the use of standardized nursing language to demonstrate student outcomes.

Accountable Care in Transitions (ACTion): A Team-Based Approach to Reducing Hospital Utilization in a Patient-Centered Medical Home

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Hawes ◽  
Jennifer N. Smith ◽  
Nicole R. Pinelli ◽  
Rayhaan Adams ◽  
Gretchen Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Home ◽  
Patient Centered Medical Home ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Access To Primary Care ◽  
Transition Points ◽  
The Impact

Background: There is limited data describing the role of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) in successful transitions programs and more information is needed to determine the transition points where pharmacist involvement is most impactful. Methods: A family medicine center developed a multidisciplinary outpatient-based transitions program focused on reducing emergency department (ED) and hospital use in medically complex patients. Key team members were a medical provider, clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP), and care manager. The objective was to evaluate the impact of the program by comparing utilization before and after the intervention and to identify patient and process characteristic predictors of 30-day rehospitalizations. Results: Of the 268 patients included, the mean time to follow-up appointment attended was 11.6 (11.8) days after discharge. The majority of patients (72%) saw their primary care provider at follow-up. Patients experiencing the multidisciplinary intervention had lower 30-day rehospitalizations at 7, 14, and 30 days postdischarge with significance achieved at 14 and 30 days. Compared to before the intervention, reductions in both ED visits and hospitalizations as well as increases in clinic visits were seen at 1, 3, and 6 months. CPP involvement was associated with lower rehospitalizations (7.7% vs 18.8%; P = .04). Conclusion: A multidisciplinary outpatient-based transitions program embedded in the PCMH increased access to primary care and reduced hospital and ED utilization. Face-to-face CPP involvement significantly lowered rehospitalizations. This program describes a standardized approach to complex care needs with defined roles, a model that may be generalizable and reproduced in other medical homes.

scholarly journals Seizure Impact on the School Attendance in Children with Epilepsy: Prospective Study in the Pediatrics Neurology Clinic at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumer Hassen ◽  
Ayalew moges Beyene
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
School Absenteeism ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Abstract Background: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease seen in Pediatrics Neurology Units in developing countries and like other chronic disorders it has been found to negatively affect school attendance and academic performance influencing school life of children. An educational underachievement can also be due to comorbid learning and behavioral problems in these children. The impact of epilepsy on school attendance may also contribute to the academic difficulties of children with epilepsy. The purpose of this study is to assess school absenteeism and determine which factors influence school absenteeism in school aged children and adolescents with epilepsy. Methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted among school aged children and adolescents with epilepsy between the ages of 7-18 years attending at the Paediatric Neurology Clinic and their primary caretakers. A sample of 183 children and adolescents were included in the study. The participants (children and their parents/caregivers) gave information concerning the socio-demographic data, primary caregiver’s information like educational status, information concerning child’s seizure and epilepsy status disclosures to teachers and peer. And medical cards were thoroughly reviewed. Descriptive statistics and bi-variate logistic regression analysis was done to assess determinants of school absenteeism. Results: The prevalence of school absenteeism among children aged 7-18years at PNC follow up was 69.4%.Among other factors female sex with AOR 2.19(95% CI 1.03-4.84), having symptomatic seizure AOR 2.51(95% CI 1.09-5.86), having seizure at school and having longer duration of seizure were statistically significant association with school absenteeism. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the school absenteeism is very common among children aged 7-18 years at PNC follow up (69.4%) and that seizure has a significant impact on children’s school attendance. Keywords: Epilepsy; School; Childhood; Absenteeism; Ethiopia Trial registration: N/A

Outcomes of an Elementary School-Based Vision Screening Program in North Carolina

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex R. Kemper ◽  
Anya Helfrich ◽  
Jennifer Talbot ◽  
Nita Patel
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
School Year ◽  
School Based ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
The Impact

School nurses can play a key role in the detection of significant refractive error. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a statewide school nurse vision screening program by evaluating the outcomes of screening among first, third, and fifth graders in 10 schools in North Carolina during the 2009–2010 school year. Of the 2,726 children who were screened, 7.7% ( n = 209) were abnormal, of which 89% ( n = 186) were placed into a comprehensive database for follow-up. No documentation of any follow-up was available for 35% ( n = 65) of these children. Of the 106 with complete eye examination data available, 54.7% ( n = 58) had myopia, 22.6% ( n = 24) had hyperopia, 11.3% ( n = 12) had astigmatism, 1.9% ( n = 2) had anisometropia, and 9.4% ( n = 10) were normal. Even with incomplete follow-up, this screening activity led to identification of 3 cases for every 100 children screened, underscoring the importance of high-quality school-based vision screening programs.

scholarly journals Increasing Screening Follow-Up for Vulnerable Children: A Partnership with School Nurses

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice Rodriguez ◽  
Ashini Srivastava ◽  
Melinda Landau
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Minority Children ◽  
Vulnerable Children ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
The Impact

Approximately 20% of school-age children have a vision problem. Screening is an effective way to detect visual impairments, although only if adequate follow-up is available. Here, we evaluate the impact of hiring full-time nurses in four underserved schools on the likelihood of increasing follow-up for treatment after vision screening. First, we compared descriptive screening follow-up data from the intervention schools with that of five matched schools with part-time nurses in San Jose, California, from 2008 to 2012. The intervention schools had around 2800 low-income, minority children each year, and the five comparison schools had around 3445. Secondly, we conducted a qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses from 129 teachers in the nine participating schools. In the final year, 96% of the students screened and referred for possible vision problems in schools with full-time nurses were followed up and examined by a health care provider. Yet, only 67% of students screened in comparison schools were examined. Teachers in schools with full-time nurses reported that follow-up of vision problems and getting glasses for students was the most beneficial activity performed by the nurses. School nurses can effectively increase medical care coordination and follow-up of vision screening in low-income communities.

scholarly journals Impact of Dual Role of Teaching and Practice on School Counsellors’ Productivity in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-118
Author(s):  
Shuaib A. Muhammed ◽  
Saudat Imam
Keyword(s):  
School System ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Dual Role ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
School Counsellors ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

The dual role of teaching and professional counselling practice is a common trend in Nigerian school system. Much research has not been conducted on the impact of this dual role on school counsellors’ efficiency and performance. The study investigated the impact of dual role of teaching and practice on counsellors’ productivity in Ilorin, Nigeria. A mixed method approach was employed on a sample of 149 school counsellors in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria using the snow ball sampling. A scale tagged “Impact of Dual Role on Counsellors’ Productivity” was used to gather quantitative data from 149 school counsellors while an interview was further conducted to gather qualitative data from 10 school counsellors. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using percentage, mean and ranking order analysis, t-test and ANOVA while the qualitative data was coded and narrated thematically. The findings revealed that dual role negatively affects the counsellors’ effective communication with the client; competence in handling client issues; prompt follow- up of client cases and having time to study client cases among others. Counsellors also hold the opinion that dual role affects proper record keeping, efficient organisation of guidance programme, proper follow-up of client cases among others. The study also found that the perception of respondents on influence of dual role varies based on length of year in service but they share similar views based on gender. The study concluded that dual role affects counsellors’ efficient service delivery in the school system.

scholarly journals Seizure Impact on the School Attendance in Children with Epilepsy: Prospective Study in the Pediatrics Neurology Clinic at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital,Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumer Hassen ◽  
Ayalew moges Beyene
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
School Attendance ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
School Absenteeism ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Abstract Background: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease seen in Pediatrics Neurology Units in developing countries and like other chronic disorders it has been found to negatively affect school attendance and academic performance influencing school life of children. An educational underachievement can also be due to comorbid learning and behavioral problems in these children. The impact of epilepsy on school attendance may also contribute to the academic difficulties of children with epilepsy. The purpose of this study is to assess school absenteeism and determine which factors influence school absenteeism in school aged children and adolescents with epilepsy. Methods: A hospital based prospective study was conducted among school aged children and adolescents with epilepsy between the ages of 7-18 years attending at the Paediatric Neurology Clinic and their primary caretakers. A sample of 183 children and adolescents were included in the study. The participants (children and their parents/caregivers) gave information concerning the socio-demographic data, primary caregiver’s information like educational status, information concerning child’s seizure and epilepsy status disclosures to teachers and peer. And medical cards were thoroughly reviewed. Descriptive statistics and bi-variate logistic regression analysis was done to assess determinants of school absenteeism. Results: The prevalence of school absenteeism among children aged 7-18years at PNC follow up was 69.4%.Among other factors female sex with AOR 2.19(95% CI 1.03-4.84), having symptomatic seizure AOR 2.51(95% CI 1.09-5.86), having seizure at school and having longer duration of seizure were statistically significant association with school absenteeism. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the school absenteeism is very common among children aged 7-18 years at PNC follow up (69.4%) and that seizure has a significant impact on children’s school attendance. Keywords: Epilepsy; School; Childhood; Absenteeism; Ethiopia Trial registration: N/A

Sound Production Treatment for Acquired Apraxia of Speech: An Examination of Dosage in Relation to Probe Performance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Julie L. Wambaugh ◽  
Lydia Kallhoff ◽  
Christina Nessler
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Practice Schedules ◽  
Baseline Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech. Method Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined. Results The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics. Conclusions Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12592190

Research Participation Experiences of Informants of Suicide and Control Cases

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. C. Wong ◽  
Wincy S. C. Chan ◽  
Philip S. L. Beh ◽  
Fiona W. S. Yau ◽  
Paul S. F. Yip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Psychological Autopsy ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
The People ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Background: Ethical issues have been raised about using the psychological autopsy approach in the study of suicide. The impact on informants of control cases who participated in case-control psychological autopsy studies has not been investigated. Aims: (1) To investigate whether informants of suicide cases recruited by two approaches (coroners’ court and public mortuaries) respond differently to the initial contact by the research team. (2) To explore the reactions, reasons for participation, and comments of both the informants of suicide and control cases to psychological autopsy interviews. (3) To investigate the impact of the interviews on informants of suicide cases about a month after the interviews. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used for the informants of both suicide and control cases. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted with the informants of suicide cases. Results: The majority of the informants of suicide cases, regardless of the initial route of contact, as well as the control cases were positive about being approached to take part in the study. A minority of informants of suicide and control cases found the experience of talking about their family member to be more upsetting than expected. The telephone follow-up interviews showed that none of the informants of suicide cases reported being distressed by the psychological autopsy interviews. Limitations: The acceptance rate for our original psychological autopsy study was modest. Conclusions: The findings of this study are useful for future participants and researchers in measuring the potential benefits and risks of participating in similar sensitive research. Psychological autopsy interviews may be utilized as an active engagement approach to reach out to the people bereaved by suicide, especially in places where the postvention work is underdeveloped.

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