Infectious Diseases
In order to safeguard the school
community from the spread of certain communicable diseases the superintendent
shall implement procedures assuring that all school buildings are in compliance
with state board of health rules and regulations regarding the presence of
persons who have or have been exposed to infectious diseases deemed dangerous
to the public health. Such procedures shall also prescribe the manner in which
safeguards are taken to remove the danger to others.
The district shall require that
the parents or guardian shall complete a medical history form at the beginning
of each school year. The nurse or school physician may use such reports to
advise the parent of the need for further medical attention and to plan for
potential health problems in school.
The board authorizes the school
principal to exclude a student who has been diagnosed by a physician or is
suspected of having an infectious disease in accordance with the regulations
within the Infectious Disease Control Guide (current issue). The principal
and/or school nurse shall report the presence of suspected case or cases of
reportable communicable disease to the appropriate local health authority as
required by the State Board of Health. Such information concerning a student's
present and past health condition shall be treated as confidential. The
principal shall cooperate with the local health officials in the investigation
of the source of the disease.
The fact that a student has been
tested for a sexually transmitted disease, the test result, any information
relating to the diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease, and
any information regarding drug or alcohol treatment for a student must be kept
strictly confidential. If the district has a release, the information may be
disclosed pursuant to the restrictions in the release.
A school principal has the
authority to send an ill child home with parent notification, without the
concurrence of the local health officer, but if the disease is reportable, the
local health officer must be notified. The local health officer is the primary
resource in the identification and control of infectious disease in community
and school.
Legal References:
RCW 28A.210.010 Contagious diseases, limiting
contact--Rules and regulations
WAC 246-110 School districts and day care
centers--Contagious diseases
WAC 246-100-071 Responsibility for reporting and
cooperating with the local health department
WAC 246-100-076 Reportable diseases and conditions
RCW 70.02 Medical records--health care
information access and disclosure
Adoption Date: 4/28/08
St. John - Endicott Cooperative
Schools