Orange County NC Website
APRIL 2007 <br />How would a SBHC be different than what is already in the schools? A SBHC would pull all <br />of the people who are already working to improve student health.under "one roof' and would <br />bring in new medical and mental health services. <br />The school nurses already provide medical services. What would be new? The school nurses <br />would still be in the schools, and they would continue to do the job that they are doing. They <br />would have a new home in the SBHC, and be part of a team that could provide more <br />comprehensive medical care. <br />Will parents need to provide permission or consent for their child to visit the SBHC? Yes. <br />Can a SBHC take care of sick and injured students? Yes. Right now students who get sick or <br />injured at school go to see the school nurse, who calls parents if she is concerned that the student <br />needs further evaluation. If there is a SBHC, parents can elect to have their child seen in the <br />SBHC. A nurse practitioner or physician will examine the student, perform medical tests if <br />needed, and prescribe medication and treatment. For example, a student with a fever and sore <br />throat could be evaluated for strep throat. A student with a headache or menstrual cramps could <br />be examined, treated, observed for awhile, and go back to classes when they feel better. A student <br />with a flare in their asthma could be examined and get a "breathing treatment" in the SBHC and <br />go back to classes. If a student is too sick or injured to be taken care of in the SBHC, the staff can <br />stabilize the student and arrange for parents or emergency service to pick up the child. <br />Can a SBHC take care of students who have chronic medical conditions? Yes. There are <br />many students with ongoing medical issues, such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, <br />attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression, and acne. The SBHC can assist the.student's regular <br />doctor or "medical home" monitor and managing these problems. If a student does not have a <br />"medical home," the SBHC can help them find a medical home or become the medical home. <br />Can a SBHC provide regular check -ups or shots? Yes. SBHCs can provide these services to <br />students who do not receive this health care elsewhere. All adolescents should have an annual <br />well -child check or preventive health visit. All adolescents should receive routine immunizations. <br />Can a SBHC provide mental health and substance use services? Yes. There are services and <br />support now available for students with mental health or substance use problems and in a SBHC, <br />a team of health care professionals will work together "under one roof' to address a student's <br />physical, mental health, and substance use needs in a holistic way. <br />What types of services will NOT be provided? The SBHC will not provide condoms. The <br />SBHC will not provide birth control. The SBHC will not provide urine drug testing. <br />Who would provide the new medical services? Nurse practitioners would provide most of the <br />new medical services. A physician will always be available if the nurse practitioner has questions. <br />Complex patients may be seen by a physician. <br />What will be the cost of these new medical services? We will not know for sure until a business <br />plan has been developed. We plan to explore reimbursement from insurance companies or <br />Medicaid when possible. We plan to keep costs for services as low as possible. <br />0) <br />