Health Room

You’ve most likely been warned but now the time has come. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a public health advisory that if you’re still using a Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Asthma Inhaler it’s time to get with your doctor to make a change.

The production and sale of the ozone damaging CFC propelled albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008. CFCs harm the Earth’s ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Healthcare professionals are urged to transition patients to the hydrofluoralkane (HFA) propelled albuterol inhalers now.

The FDA noted HFA propelled albuterol inhalers may taste and feel different (softer) than the CFC propelled albuterol inhalers. The FDA also stressed the importance of priming and cleaning in order to prevent any blockage of the medicine reaching the lungs.

There are currently three approved HFA propelled albuterol inhalers: Proair HFA Inhalation Aerosol, Proventil HFA Inhalation Aerosol, and Ventolin HFA Inhalation Aerosol. In addition, an HFA propelled inhaler containing levalbuterol, a medicine similar to albuterol, is available as Xopenex HFA Inhalation Aerosol. All of the above HFA propelled inhalers are safe and effective replacements for CFC propelled albuterol inhalers.

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Letters to Schools about Albuterol Transition

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The School Kids Healthcare Team had a great time at the NASN 40^th Annual Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico and we sure hope you did too.  It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with all of you.  Check out these pictures and see if you were caught on camera!

 The School Kids Healthcare Booth (AKA “The Party Booth”)

 Getting the Teaching & Training manikins all dolled up

 Ooooh…those margaritas were good…even if they were non-alcoholic

 Brad confidently displays the LifeLine Disaster Preparedness/Hurricane Kit

 Brad discussing the NEW DepHyze™ line

 Kim and Brad getting free goodies ready to grab

 Brad and Dru Holding show off one of the many prize thermometers that were given away

Brad and one of our many Pulse Oximeter winners

Brad and School Kids Healthcare friends are all smiles

Ice Cream Social

Yummy…look at all those toppings

Everyone loves a sundae

“Did you hear who won?!?”

Doris Jones, School Kids Healthcare’s 2007 $1000 Scholarship winner for the NASN 2008 Conference, proudly stands by Kim

Kim and Candy Hilvers, School Kids Healthcare’s 2008 $1000 Scholarship winner to the 2009 NASN 41st Annual Conference
Boston, Massachusetts

One of School Kids Healthcare’s many Stethoscope winners

“Check out the digital thermometer I just won!”

“Can I take your temperature?”

School Kids Healthcare is proud to sponsor the National Association of School Nurses

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July 4th is right around the corner and you know what that means…fireworks. Check out these safety tips from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned
• Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire

Although this didn’t make the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list remember that alcohol and fireworks do not mix, have a designated shooter. Also be sure to obey the law and find out what fireworks are legal in your city, county, and state, as ordinances and regulations vary from place to place.

On this 232nd birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence let’s thank our military for their countless dedication and determination. Let’s also thank those who will find themselves working and volunteering this holiday – Police Officers, EMS Providers, Fire/Rescue Workers, Hospital Employees – doing their best to protect and serve the American people to ensure a safe and happy Fourth of July Celebration.

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The NASN 40th Annual Conference in the Albuquerque, New Mexico is just days away! Will School Kids Healthcare see you at the Albuquerque Convention Center June 28 – July 1, 2008?

“Transforming School Communities: Voices for Student Health” is this year’s conference theme and is sure to provide inspiring keynote presentations and thought provoking sessions about the reality that today’s school nurses face.

In addition to these educational and social meetings is the exhibit hall where you can find School Kids Healthcare at booth #205. Cool off with a refreshing margarita and enjoy some chips and salsa. Grab some freebies and register to win great prizes including the $1000 grand prize to apply towards the NASN 2009 conference in Boston, MA or merchandise from School Kids Healthcare!

School Kids Healthcare also wants to put the cherry on your sundae with an Ice Cream Social. School Kids Healthcare is sponsoring an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 29th at 2 pm. Stop by our booth #205, make yourself a sundae, and take a moment to relax with your friends and colleagues.

If you still have some free time after all the conference activities check out the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau website for tourism/activities, dining/nightlife, shopping, maps, and all that the “Heart of New Mexico” has to offer.

For a good time follow the chili pepper lights-
School Kids Healthcare

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School Kids Healthcare is now endorsed by Catalogs.com. Since 1997 Catalogs.com has reviewed thousands of mail-order and online catalogs. Catalogs.com is considered to be an “authority site” by major search engines and only the most reputable, distinctive, and trusted merchants are listed on Catalogs.com. Look for the “Endorsed by Catalogs.com” link on our SKHC catalog request page.

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How often do you have your blood pressure checked? Many people find themselves only getting it checked at the doctor’s office a few times a year or maybe at an in-store station. While something is better than nothing if you are one of the 72 million Americans with high blood pressure how do you feel about doing regular checks from home?

The American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association recently urged everyone with high blood pressure should own a home monitor and do regular pressure checks.

High blood pressure is more common as people age and a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Regular monitoring may help a doctor to fine-tune treatment, including medications used to control high blood pressure. It is estimated that only 1/3 of people with high blood pressure have it under control.

While regular monitoring is a great idea not everyone may feel regular home monitoring is necessary. What do you think? Should people with high blood pressure make an investment in their own personal BP monitor or blood pressure cuff to perform regular checks from home? Is it more feasible to encourage people to take advantage of the free blood pressure check stations at a local pharmacy or shopping center?

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The heavy rain and storms that hit the Midwest have left many areas in a state of emergency. The Midwest floods have caused damage or loss of homes and businesses, destruction to infrastructure, and even death. Flash flood warnings still abound, river water levels are dangerously high and sandbagging operations have gone into effect to prevent dam collapses and levee breaks.

The flooding disaster has left people with flooded basements, garages and living areas. Wet basements, leaking garages and saturated homes may cause the spread of harmful bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, and spores without proper sanitation. There are many sanitizers on the market for the cleaning and removal of decontaminants but which cleaners are going to kill, disinfect and neutralize the affected areas best?

New to the market is DepHyze™, the world’s safest and most effective antimicrobial and chemical decontaminant. It kills bacteria, viruses, spores, molds and fungus up to 99.99999%. It’s totally biodegradable and offers 100% odor negation. The DepHyze™ product line features carpet cleaner and deodorizer, surface cleaner and surface spray, hand sanitizer, and laundry detergent.

Bleach and alcohol based cleaners work well however they do not have long lasting effects.  Bleach based cleaners send mold into an inactive state only to return once the bleach has dissipated. Alcohol based cleaners only kill for 8 seconds and only to a rate of 99.99%. While 99.99% may sound impressive the DepHyze™ product line kills up to 99.99999%. DepHyze™ products also leave a long lasting zone barrier killing fungus, molds, MRSA, Norovirus and other pathogens for future protection.  

The flooding in the Midwest has left people no choice in rerouting their ways to work and school, financial loss due to repair and most of all an emotional reaction to Mother Nature’s effects. While your loved ones, neighbors and communities are recovering from the devastation lend a helping hand, share a smile and stay safe.

DepHyze™

DepHyze™ Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer

DepHyze™ Decon 3D Surface Cleaner

DepHyze™ Foaming Hand Sanitizer

DepHyze™ Laundry Detergent

DepHyze™ Ultra Clean Surface Spray

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Every year approximately 166,000 American lives are lost due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Another staggering statistic is that 94% of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest die before ever reaching a hospital.

June 1 – 7, 2008 marked the first annual National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Congress designated this time to educate Americans about the importance of CPR and AED training in order to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest. Robert O’Connor, Chair of the American Heart Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee said, “It is crucial that more Americans are trained in CPR and that AEDs are made more accessible to the public. A national awareness week will be a strong step for our nation in making that a priority.”

Red Cross chapters across the nation held classes and demonstrations, hosted events and provided educational information to stress the importance of CPR and AED training. Scott Conner, Vice President for the American Red Cross Preparedness and Health and Safety Services commented, “It’s wonderful to have a week devoted to calling people’s attention to the fact that saving someone’s life is as simple as taking a class.”

The US House of Representatives complemented last week by passing the Josh Miller HEARTS (Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools) Act (H.R. 4926) on June 9. The Josh Miller HEARTS Act establishes a national grant program through the Department of Education to fund the installation of AEDs in schools and the training of staff in their use.

“This legislation will help make our schools safer places to learn and work,” noted Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) who introduced the legislation in December of 2007. “AEDs are the single most effective treatment for those suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. By ensuring that schools have access to these lifesaving devices, we can prevent needless deaths in communities across the country.”

Congress has taken two strong steps forward with the first week of June being declared as National CPR and AED Awareness Week and the passing of the Josh Miller HEARTS Act. Let’s thank U.S. Representatives John R. “Randy” Kuhl (R-NY) and Dan Boren (D-OK) and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) as well as Betty Sutton (D-OH) for introducing these ground breaking bills.

Effective CPR can double or triple survival rates - test your knowledge by taking the American Heart Association’s quiz on whether or not you would know what to do in a cardiac emergency.

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Are there friends or associates you’ve met at past conferences and maybe lost touch with or would like to find out if they plan on attending this year? Post a message on the School Kids Healthcare School Nurse Blog and see if they’re out there and what their plans are.

School Kids Healthcare would love to hear what conferences you plan on attending this year. Whether local or national, we’d like to hear about the ones you enjoy going to.

The School Kids Healthcare Tradeshows calendar is always being updated so be sure to check back often. We look forward to meeting you at these upcoming conferences:

ACHA 2008 Annual Meeting
June 3 - 7, 2008
Orlando, Fl
ACHA

AASN 38th Annual Conference
June 5 - 6, 2008
Florence, AL
AASN

8th Annual SCASN Summer Conference
June 12, 2008
Myrtle Beach, SC
SCASN

NASN 40th Annual Conference
June 28 - July 1, 2008
Albuquerque, NM
NASN

17th Annual GASN Conference
July 14 - 17, 2008
Savannah, GA
GASN

19th Annual Kansas School Nurse Conference
July 15 - 16, 2008
Wichita, KS
KSNC

Second Annual Institute for School Nursing - New York Statewide School Health Services Center Conference
July 23 - 25, 2008
Albany, NY
New York SSHSC

NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo
November 5 - 8, 2008
Dallas, TX
NAEYC

ASHA Annual School Health Conference
November 12 - 15, 2008
Tampa, FL
American School Health Association

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