7:250-AP1 Measures to Control the Spread of Head Lice at School
7:250-AP1 Measures to Control the Spread of Head Lice at School
| Actor | Action |
| District Nurse | Involves parent organization in the development and implementation of programs regarding prevention and treatment.
Provides information regarding control to staff, students, and parents. Provides in-service to school personnel on preventing transmission in classrooms, including: · Confidentiality requirements · Identification · Precautions against self-contamination and cross-contamination, e.g., a. Carpets should be vacuumed frequently. b. Cloth-covered stuffed animals, sleeping mats, pillows, sofas, and other stuffed furniture should be discouraged. · Treatment and resources for treatment. · Readmission requirements. · Respect for sensitivity of students and parents/guardians regarding this condition. |
| Parents/Guardians | Assist in preventing and managing head lice outbreaks by regularly checking their children’s hair and providing immediate treatment if lice are detected.
• Check your child’s hair and scalp regularly for eggs; tiny white or grayish grains stuck to the hair. Head lice like clean head, too. • Do not allow your child to use other children’s combs, brushes, hats, etc. • If you find your child does have head lice, please inform the school so a check can be made on the other children in the class. • Call your physician for any questions regarding treatment options. Follow medical shampoo course of treatment carefully. Follow the instructions for the entire family. • Hats, combs, brushes, coats, clothing and bed linens should be cleaned thoroughly in hot water or steam and clothes dried. Nits should be removed after medical shampoo. Cars and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed or steam cleaned. |
| Staff | To prevent the spread of head lice infestations, report all suspected cases of head lice to the nurse or designee as soon as possible. |
| Building Nurse | Inspect the head of any student reasonably suspected of having head lice as soon as possible.Check the siblings of any student with head lice and notify other schools where siblings attend.
Check the student’s contacts for the presence of lice. Provide the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) with information regarding head lice treatment. If more than one student is affected in any class, examine all students in the class and provide information about head lice to all parents/guardians of students in the class. School staff will give age appropriate information and explanation if/when a class head check is indicated. |
| Building Nurse | If eggs (nits) or lice are found, exclude the student from attendance until treatment. Inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) about recommended treatment procedures and sources of further information. Advise building principal of incident. |
| Staff | Maintain the privacy of students identified as having head lice and excluded from attendance. |
| Parents/Guardians | Return student to school by bringing a note verifying treatment. |
| Building Nurse | Return student to school by bringing a note verifying treatment. |
| Building Principal | Notify parent(s)/guardian(s) whose excluded student has not returned to school within 5 days of the following:
· School attendance laws · Action which may be taken if absence continues · Resources for treatment information |
Date Adopted: 09/09/2009
