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HEALTH CARE PLAN
ILLNESS
Upon arrival at the Center and throughout the day, each child will be evaluated by staff for signs of illness or injury. Children who display signs of any of the following will not be admitted:
- Temperature of 100°
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Any suspicious, continuous rash or behavior
- Two or more of: profuse nasal discharge, colored nasal discharge, barking or croupy cough, listless behavior and signs or complaints of not feeling well
- Sore or discharging eyes or ears
- Pink eye, strep throat or chicken pox
- Head lice or scabies
- Whenever a child can not participate and/or requires 1:1 attention.
Parents of children who develop any of these symptoms or conditions during the day will be notified immediately. Children will rest quietly until being picked up and must be symptom-free for 24 hours before they can return. NOTE: We ask parents to let us know if their children develop a contagious illness, head lice or scabies within 3 weeks of attending the Center.
If a child develops an illness requiring immediate attention, staff will secure care for the child first and then notify parents.
HEALTH CONSULTANT
Drop-In Center staff consult regularly with a volunteer Health Care Professional who agrees to check in once a month with each room and be available by telephone for questions. The Center also consults with Health Department personnel for advice about contagious illness and appropriate sanitary practice.
MEDICATION
Children who are prescribed antibiotics must be on the medication for at least 24 hours before returning to the Center.
The Drop-In Center is not equipped to care for children who are ill. It is usually in the best interest of the children for them to be at home if they are sick enough to need medication. Staff members do not administer medication.
INJURY
Parents will be told of any injuries that take place during their child's stay at the Center, no matter how minor. Injuries will be handled as follows:
- One staff member will take charge of injured child, determine extent of injury and take appropriate action (staff will have first aid and CPR training).
- Other staff will supervise other children and be available to get further assistance, if necessary.
- All adults present will remain calm and reassure injured child and others present.
- Parent will be notifies of injury once child is attended to.
- After the situation is stabalized, injured child will be encouraged to talk about the event, to "tell teh story" of what happened (when possible) and will be given further reassurance and support.
If your child is hurt or becomes ill, you will be notified. In case of serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention, your child will be taken to Cayuga Medical Center (formerly Tompkins County Hospital) emergency services and you will be notifies so you can meet your child and his/her Caregiver there.
HANDWASHING
Staff and children wash their hands whenever they are soled, before eating, cooking, after using the bathrooms, after wiping noses, etc. Hygienic hand washing procedures are posted in all wash rooms.
HYGIENE & DENTAL HEALTH
Children who are old enough to understand are taought basic procedures to prevent the spread of germs, for example: To cover their mouths when they cough or sneez to blow their noses. Teachers model all these procedures.
UNIVERSAL BLOOD PRECAUTIONS
- Disposable gloves will be worn by staff, volunteers and parents whenever there is a possibility of contact with blood or bodily fluids (including diaper changing, changing soiled pants or assisting with toileting).
- Disposable gloves must be disposed of after each use.
- A bleeding child must never be denied care because gloves are not immediately available.
- If blood is touched accidentally, the exposed skin must be thoroughly cleansed with soap and running water.
- Surfaces that have been in contact with blood or bodily fluids (including diaper changing table, toilet seats and handles) must be wiped with a germicidal solution.
- Clothes stained with blood or other bodily fluids will be removed and washed or placed in a plastic bag to be returned to parents.
