NASN meaningful use comment

¾¾¾¾¾¾ Meaningful Use Public comment submitted March 15, 2010 on the proposed rule for the meaningful use of Electronic Health Records. School nurses have immediate access to America’s 50 Million school-aged children from birth to 21 in every type of school setting. School nurses are extensions of the public health system and a vital component of the care of children with chronic health conditions and disabilities. A significant proportion of health care in the United States is provided daily in the school setting. o Hundreds of thousands of health screenings are performed at school: Vision, hearing, lead, BMI and dental screenings Risk assessments for obesity, mental health, substance abuse o The percent of students in federally supported special education program increased from 8% to 14% from 1977 – 2006 (NCES, 2007). Within this group, the rates of children with health conditions have doubled since 2001 (NCES, 2007). o As rate of NICU survival increases, so do the numbers of children with neuro-developmental problems. Among toddlers and infants in this group who show no or mild disability, a significant number have moderate – severe disabilities at school age (Marlow, Wolke, & Bracewell, 2005; Hoestra, Ferrara, Coeser, Payne & Connet, 2004). o Each year, as these survivors enter early intervention services and Kindergarten, the need for school health services increases. Medically fragile children ...