Kathleen Marker, Immunization Education Program, Pennsylvania Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics, Rosetree Corporate Center Two, 1400 N. Providence Road, Media, PA, USA, Judith A. Grace, Ridley School District, 901 Morton Avenue, Folsom, PA, USA, and Amy Wishner, Immunization Education Program, PA AAP, Rosetree Corporate Center Two, 1400 N. Providence Road, Media, USA.
BACKGROUND:
Office and school nurses share an interest in high immunization rates and complete documentation of immunizations. However, sometimes communication between these two groups is less than optimal. In 2001, the authors (a school nurse and an office nurse) met at an immunization coalition meeting and discussed the possibility of forming a partnership between the two groups.
OBJECTIVE:
To foster communication between school and office nurses. To devise methods to share pertinent medical information about the child/student particularly relating to immunization issues and needs. To understand each other's role in the health care of the school age child.
METHOD:
Three representatives from office practices met with the Delaware County School Nurse Officers in 2001 to assess the need for this alliance. Upon unanimous agreement, a dinner meeting was planned for that fall. Funding for the dinner was provided by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. An invitation list was comprised of school nurses from each district in Delaware County and office nurses from practices within each district.
RESULT:
Nurses from fifteen school districts and seven offices attended. Collegial relationships began to develop. The school nurses provided a manual with the name of each school nurse, various policies for each district and some general immunization information they needed from the office. Future meetings were planned. SCONA groups now exist in Delaware, Berks and Chester counties with interest in Montgomery, York, Philadelpha and Harrisburg areas. SCONA has become an activity of the PA IEP. In addition, this project has been presented at a National School Nurse Conference.
CONCLUSION:
Collaboration of school and office nurses enhances care of the school age child and improves compliance with the recommended immunization schedule. Facilitated interaction between the two specialties improves the practice of both groups.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Identify basic elements needed to launch a SCONA group. List long and short term benefits of this alliance.