Archive for February, 2009

The current economy and budget proposals are not going to slow the Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN) and supporters down. Instead of waiting for the governor’s budget proposal cut of $30 million in state funds for school and nursing services in Georgia the group has gotten a petition together and is in dire need of your support.

“Presently, we really need parents to go to our Web site [http://www.gasn.org/home/] and sign the nurse petition to have the funds reinstated,” said Jeannie Edwards, director of the Georgia Association of School Nurses.

The online petition only takes about 30 seconds to fill out.

Legislators will not make a final decision on funding until June. If this budget cut is approved it will essentially eliminate the program.

“Without the $30 million, we will most likely lose many school nurse positions [statewide],” said Edwards, a nurse for 18 years in the Dawson County school system.

Edwards noted that Dawson County receives about $75,000 in state funding for school nurses, only a fraction of what’s actually needed to keep the program funded. To cover the gap local organizations such as Northside Hospital, Big Canoe and United Way have been supportive. Across the state, school systems have had to depend on local governments and community organizations to pick up the pieces. However, with the economic decline, these sources can only provide so much.

The needs of children dictate the direction of the school nurse program. The days of needing a bandage or temperature taken haven’t disappeared but now there is diabetic assessment, feeding tubes and catheterizations, administering daily prescriptions, asthma, seizures, heart disorders and life-threatening allergies. These special health care needs may require attention several times a day.        

“The $30 million should be reinstated for the school nurse program because the local governments cannot absorb any more, they are already supporting 80 percent of the program,” Edwards said.

Will you give 30 seconds of your time?

Source: DawsonNews.com

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In mid January 2009 the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) announced a voluntary recall of peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility since January 1, 2007 due to the potential of Salmonella contamination. On February 12, 2009 the Texas Department of State Health Services ordered PCA to cease the manufacture and distribution of all products from its Plainview, Texas plant and to immediately recall all products manufactured there since March 2005.

On February 13, 2009 PCA filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S. bankruptcy court in Virginia.

By now most people have probably done away with any questionable peanut butter and other peanut containing products but just in case a recalled product or two got by you (as of February 22, 2009 there was 2591) the FDA provides a very thorough recall list that is updated regularly.

If you took your chances on a peanut butter or other peanut containing product and are now having some new sensations here’s what you need to know: most infected people develop diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps 12 – 72 hours after infection. To find out if you’re indeed infected a culture of a stool sample is usually taken. Salmonella poisoning usually lasts 4 – 7 days. Most people recover without treatment however there is the possibility of severe infections (especially in infants, elderly people and those with impaired immune systems.) As of February 19, 2009 the CDC had 654 case counts in 44 states.

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Have you noticed anything different on the School Kids Healthcare website within the past week?  There is now a “share link” on all SKHC product pages.  This new bookmark link features all the most popular social networking sites, including some of the not so known ones, to allow you to share your thoughts about your favorite (and not so favorite) products.  
 
Is there a stethoscope you recently purchased from SKHC and want to let everyone in cyberspace know exactly how you feel about it?  Just click on the Bookmark & Share link and you’re on your way to getting your word across.  Perhaps you just purchased a Red Cross First Aid Kit and you want to give a shout out to your fellow online shoppers that this is THE first aid kit to get.
 
The new Bookmark & Share link puts spreading your word right at your fingertips.  Sing your praises for all those great SKHC products and don’t be shy to share your thoughts on products that didn’t measure up to the SKHC standard.  Help your fellow online shoppers by sharing your opinions on the products you know and love, and maybe not love so much.

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Okay, so who watched The Office after the Super Bowl 43 Sunday night? Did the writer’s of The Office happen to catch the EMP Blog about “Stayin’ Alive” providing a near perfect beat to perform CPR to and decide to base a show around it?  
 
It is about time The Office cast had the Red Cross come in with a CPR manikin and teach them what needs to be done when someone stops breathing…remember the ABCs!  Too bad it had to come to Stanley having a heart attack after Dwight had an emergency preparedness fire drill in order to get the Red Cross trainer in The Office.
 
All in all a funny episode of The Office – what did you think? Is there a Safety Officer in your school or in your office?  In the event of an emergency does your staff or family know what do?  If you work in a school, office, clinic, laboratory, or virtually anywhere do you have an emergency plan? Does your staff know where the first aid kits are, defibrillators, or a copy of the plan? When was the last time the first aid kit was updated, items tend to get used up and often on one takes the time to resupply them until it’s too late…
 

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Have you heard the news about School Kids Healthcare?  The NEW 2009 School Kids Healthcare catalog is now on its way to you!  School Kids Healthcare is always trying to keep the catalog fresh and on the up and up with current issues and has now added a Sexual Health and Education category.  Sexual Education in schools is a broad and growing topic that includes STDs, pregnancy prevention, cancer self-screening, parenting, reproduction and more.  The new Sexual Health and Education category features a wide range of products including: anatomical models, DVDs, books, posters and displays, educational handouts, contraceptives, pregnancy tests and more.  The educational material ranges age appropriately from elementary school students to college age students.  
 
In addition to the new Sexual Health and Education products there is an assortment of new products including clipboards, braces and supports, the Accu-Chek Active Blood Glucose Meter and much, much more.  
 
Take a moment to leave your thoughts and comments on the new products. Is there anything you’d like to see on the School Kids Healthcare website but aren’t?  Does your school offer a sexual health and education program?  School Nurses let’s hear what you think.

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