Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

It's never too early or late to work toward being your healthiest you! This National Women's Health Week, we want to help you take control of your health.

Created: 11 May 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2220

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

May 9^th is National School Nurse Day! 

From handling scraped knees to heartaches and all points in between, local school nurses provide students with much more than just traditional nursing care every day.

“Mom, social worker, counselor and healthcare provider, put that all together, and you’ve got a school nurse,” said Tammy Keen, MSN, RN, school nurse at Dalton High School. “And no two days are ever the same.”

Renee Smith, RN, supervisor of the school nurse program at Whitfield County Schools, confirmed there is no typical day for a school nurse.

“Every day is different,” Smith said. “Some days you’re giving education to students who come into the clinic with complaints of tummy aches or sore throats or headaches. Other days you see a lot of worried, well students or kids who just want to skip class – those are the easy days.”

Then there are the days when it seems a school nurse is running a “mini-ER”, handling crises that range from serious asthma attacks to dangerous diabetic high blood sugar levels or playground injuries that could involve lacerations or broken bones.

For Traci Hopkins, BSN, RN, supervisor of the school nurse program at Dalton Public Schools and school nurse for Morris Innovative School, a typical day could include anxiety attacks, depression, eating disorders and pregnancies.

“We try to deal with the whole student,” said Hopkins. “We want to support them in staying in school by doing things such as assessing their health condition and helping them get affordable care at our health department and dental clinic, and we help young, new mothers learn how to breastfeed and arrange for child care so they can concentrate on successfully graduating from school.”

Whitfield County Schools and Dalton Public Schools contract school nurses through the Whitfield County Health Department, which is a unique arrangement in the state of Georgia, since most schools contract nurses through hospitals.

According to Smith, five school nurses serve 13 elementary schools in the county schools, with four of the nurses operating part time in three schools each. Smith serves as a part-time nurse in one school, while supervising the Whitfield County Schools school nurse program. In Whitfield County Schools, each elementary school has a part-time school nurse.

Hopkins said all nine schools in the Dalton Public Schools system have full-time school nurses.

School nurses administer medications and provide hearing, vision and dental screening. They conduct CPR training and educate on healthy lifestyles at health fairs and through one-on-one education with students and parents. School nurses speak individually with students about the impact of risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, tobacco and drug use, and provide referrals, as indicated. School nurses deal with lice, bed bugs and disease outbreaks.

Since school nurses in the two local school systems are public health nurses, they are also able to provide scoliosis screening in the schools. This includes all middle schools throughout the county.

Keen is grateful the local school nurses program is operated through the county health department.

“Because the program is conducted under public health,” said Keen, “I can look up immunization records. I just looked up one the other day for a student going off to college. I can also pick up the phone and call the nurse practitioner and express concerns about a student’s health and we can work together to provide the care that is needed.

“Many kids in Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools do not have access to health or dental care. We are their first line of health care. We can assess when the child needs medical or dental care and refer them to the health department, where they usually can be seen the same day.”

With the school nurse program under one umbrella in Whitfield County, the nurses are better able to follow through with the students so that if there are health issues that may be acute, they can keep an eye on issues like skin infections or sports-related injuries and make sure students are taking any required medications.

By maintaining relationships with students throughout the school year, especially with children who have chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or seizures, these school nurses can work with school staff on educational planning for that child.

“It is a great opportunity to be an advocate for these kids and look at them in a way that nobody else does,” Keen said. “We see the kids through different eyes, so we are an integral part of the academic team, along with teachers, social workers, and counselors – and there we are, all of us working together, helping to support these children in a way that will not only help them be academically successful but successful in life.”

Keen feels it was providential that her years of working with children, adolescents and parents as a nurse practitioner and as a pediatric intensive care clinical nurse specialist, along with her education in nursing, helped prepare her to become a school nurse.

“God was preparing me for this moment and it’s made me a better school nurse,” said Keen. “I’ve had everything from research experience to intensive care training and I’ve worked with adolescents; plus, my nurse practitioner experience has helped me assess the health of children. And, of course, as the mother of teenagers, I’ve had personal experience in dealing with kids!”

Steve Bartoo, principal of Dalton High School, said, “Having a full-time school nurse is a great value for our school. Nurse Keen works tirelessly to help develop and support a culture that promotes health and wellness. Not only does Nurse Keen provide a needed service, she has established great relationships with our kids and faculty. There is no doubt in my mind that having a school nurse is a tremendous asset for any school.”

Created: 09 May 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 3848

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

From the National Weather Service (NWS) & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Website

We are helping the NWS spread the word about Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) on social media!
Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Sunday, May 6th

Facebook
Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur without it being a major hurricane. Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane.
http://weather.gov/hurricanesafety

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a hurricane.
http://weather.gov/hurricanesafety #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Monday, May 7th

Facebook
During Hurricane Preparedness Week, make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.

http://flash.org/hurricane-season/evacuation-zones/find-your-evacuation-zones.pdf

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Are you in a hurricane evacuation zone?
http://flash.org/hurricane-season/evacuation-zones/find-your-evacuation-zones.pdf #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Tuesday, May 8th

Facebook
If a hurricane strikes, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy recovery period that could follow. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of one week. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You’ll also need a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone.

https://www.ready.gov/kit

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
What should be in your hurricane kit? https://www.ready.gov/kit #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Wednesday, May 9th

Facebook
This Hurricane Preparedness Week, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don’t forget coverage for your car or boat. Remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll need a separate policy for flooding. It’s available through your company, agent or use the agent locator at www.floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

Twitter
Are you insured for a hurricane? Find coverage at www.floodsmart.gov #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Thursday, May 10th

Facebook
If you plan to ride out a hurricane in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand high winds.

https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter 
Can your home withstand a hurricane? https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Friday, May 11th

Facebook
Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes: https://community.fema.gov/action/plan-with-neighbors

Twitter
You can play a large role in how your neighbors fare before, during and after a hurricane.  https://community.fema.gov/action/plan-with-neighbors #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Saturday, May 12th

Facebook
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. You don’t want to be standing in long lines when a Hurricane Watch is issued. Those supplies that you need will probably be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line. Being prepared, before a hurricane threatens, makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between your being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor.

https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Make a plan - before hurricane season begins. https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Videos

Facebook 
Learn the dangers of a hurricane storm surge with this fast draw video. Storm surge is what officials use when determining who to evacuate. Remember, when officials say it is time to evacuate... go! http://youtu.be/bBa9bVYKLP0

Twitter
Storm surge is dangerous! Remember, when officials say it is time to evacuate... go! https://youtu.be/bBa9bVYKLP0 #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Hurricanes.gov/prepare

Facebook 
Facebook It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Learn how during Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018). http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter 
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12) is your time to prepare for hurricanes. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Facebook 
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. Learn how with daily tips and related links. Share these with your friends and family to ensure that they're prepared. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter

Learn how to prepare for hurricanes with daily tips and more. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

weather.gov/hurricanesafety

Facebook 
Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life and community. For more information on hurricanes and hurricane safety, visit weather.gov/hurricanesafety

Twitter 
It only takes one storm to change your life & community! Prepare! weather.gov/hurricanesafety #HurricaneSafety #ItOnlyTakesOne

Created: 06 May 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2708

Written by Jennifer King

Category: Media Releases

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC launched the “Clean Hands Count” campaign in 2016 to urge healthcare professionals, patients, and patients’ loved ones to prevent healthcare-associated infections by keeping their hands clean.

Although hand contact is known to be a major way germs spread in medical facilities, studies show that some healthcare professionals don’t follow CDC hand hygiene recommendations. On average, healthcare professionals clean their hands less than half of the times they should.

“Patients depend on their medical team to help them get well, and the first step is making sure healthcare professionals aren’t exposing them to new infections,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Clean hands really do count and in some cases can be a matter of life and death.”

Part of the new campaign promotes healthcare provider adherence to CDC hand hygiene recommendations by addressing some of the myths and misperceptions about hand hygiene. For example, some people wrongly believe that using alcohol-based hand sanitizer contributes to antibiotic resistance and that it is more damaging to hands than washing with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills germs quickly and in a different way than antibiotics, so it does not cause antibiotic resistance, and it causes less skin irritation than frequent use of soap and water.

The initiative also encourages patients and their loved ones to ask their healthcare team to clean their hands if they don’t see them do so before providing care.

“We know that patients can feel hesitant to speak up, but they are important members of the health care team and should expect clean hands from providers,” said Arjun Srinivasan, M.D., CDC’s associate director for healthcare-associated infection prevention programs. “We know that healthcare providers want the best for their patients, so we want to remind them that the simple step of cleaning their hands protects their patients.”

An estimated 722,000 healthcare-associated infections occur each year in U.S. hospitals, and about 75,000 patients with these infections die during their hospital stays. Healthcare providers should follow good hand hygiene practices, such as cleaning their hands before and after every patient contact. CDC’s new campaign uses dramatic images and messages to catch doctors’ and nurses’ attention, dispel myths about hand hygiene, and empower patients to advocate for clean hands.

For more information and examples of campaign materials visit: www.cdc.gov/handhygiene.

Created: 05 May 2018

Last Updated: 16 January 2021

Hits: 2429