PEDICULOSIS PROCEDURE-WORTHINGTON SCHOOLS
Pediculosis, or head lice, is a nuisance condition and is not known to transmit infection from person to person. Current positions of national organizations (The National Association of School Nurses (NASN), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that schools eliminate policies such as no nits/no live lice, classroom screenings, and classroom notifications. In order to maximize academic achievement, school attendance should not be compromised because of a case of head lice.
1. When a student is found to have an active infestation of pediculosis as defined by the presence of live bugs or nits, the parent or guardian will be notified. The student may remain in the classroom and go home at the end of the regular school day. The student should be treated for lice while at home later that day. Students will be checked by the nurse the following day, to evaluate treatment received at home. The student may enter the class at the beginning of the school day, and the nurse will check the student at some point during the school day.
2. Our healthcare staff will educate the parents about head lice treatment and control with verbal and/or written instructions.
3. Per the AAP, CDC, and NASN, there will be no notification to the classroom families or teacher(s) of the student with lice infestation.
4. Since mass screenings lead to embarrassment, misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment, the nurse will not screen classmates of the affected student. This is in line with AAP, CDC, and NASN recommendations.
5. If the parent or guardian is not compliant with treatment options and the student misses several days Worthington Schools may choose to implement the following measures;
a. Conferences
b. Referral to an outside agency for assistance
Head Lice Management
Dealing with head lice can be a most frustrating experience for parents. To make matters worse, head lice have become increasingly resistant to many of the treatments available on the market. It has become very important for families to be vigilant about knowing the signs of infestation and the appropriate ways to manage the problem should you discover your child has head lice. The district nurses have found the following resources to be extremely helpful.
CDC Head Lice Treatment Click here for a reference document including approved over-the -counter and prescription treatments for head lice
