POLICY:
In order to safeguard the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) community from the spread of certain communicable diseases, the school will implement procedures assuring that WSSB follows and is in compliance with State Board of Health rules and regulations regarding the presence of persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous to the public health. Such procedures will also prescribe the steps to remove the danger to others.
WSSB will require parent/guardians to submit a student health information form signed by the parent/guardian at the beginning of each school year. WSSB nurses may require additional medical documentation prior to student attending school to provide safe care while in school.
WSSB may exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider (LHP) or is suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations within the most current Infectious Disease Control Guide, provided by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The school nurse will report the presence of suspected case or cases of reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as required by the State Board of Health. Information concerning a student's present and past health condition will be treated as confidential. WSSB will cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation of the source of the disease.
The fact that a student has been tested for a sexually transmitted infection, the test result, any information relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection, must be kept strictly confidential. If WSSB receives authorization to release information, WSSB may disclose information pursuant to the restrictions in the release.
The school nurse has the authority to send an ill child home without the concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, WSSB must notify the local health officer. The local health officer is the primary resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in the community and school. The local health officer, in consultation with the school nurse and superintendent, can take whatever action deemed necessary to control or eliminate the spread of disease, including closing the school.