School Nurse Letter to Waitsfield Parents: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

Dear Parents and Families, 

We would like to share a few resources and tips for maintaining health and safety during this time of school closure. We understand that you and your children may have additional questions about COVID-19 and would like to provide you with reliable resources to support you and your children during this time. 

Physical Health:

During the time that we are home from school, continue to take precautions to protect your physical health. Information about coronavirus is being updated regularly on the CDC’s COVID-19 webpage. This is a good source of reliable information. 

• Important information on Social Distancing
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Follow these five steps—wet, lather (make bubbles), scrub (rub together), rinse and dry. You can sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the trash right away.
• Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body.
• Avoid the older adults and anyone with a compromised immune system in your life. Set up virtual meetings and phone calls to stay connected with them. They are the most vulnerable.

Coronavirus Information [Vermont Department of Health]

Coronavirus Resource Center- Social Distancing and other FAQs [Harvard Medical School]

Get your Home Ready [Centers for Disease Control]

Mental Health:

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call Washington County Mental Health at 229-0591. They have screeners available to speak with you 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. 

Managing Stress and Anxiety [Centers for Disease Control]

Very Well Mind Resource

Coping with Stress [World Health Organization]

Talking with your kids about COVID-19:

Questions and Answers [Centers for Disease Control]

A Comic Exploring the Coronavirus for Kids [National Public Radio]

Tips on How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus

Children and Stress [World Health Organization]

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions or require support. I will be checking messages (email and phone) during this school closure.

Clayton S. Wetzel III, BSN, RN, NCSN

(802) 583-7900

cwetzel@huusd.org

Caterpillars can cause rashes...

A rash caused by touching a caterpillar can look like welts, small, fluid-filled sacs called vesicles, raised red bumps, or areas of red, scaly skin. Sometimes a child may feel mild to moderate stinging or pain.

If your child actually touches a caterpillar and has an immediate reaction, the first thing you should do is remove as many of the tiny hairs that will have rubbed off on his or her skin as possible.
You can do this with adhesive tape: Rub a strip of tape onto the area where the hairs are and pull them off, like you would to remove lint from a piece of clothing. Repeat with fresh tape until you think you've gotten all the hairs you can. Then wash the area with soap and water and dab on a topical, low-potency steroid cream. If the rash really stings, an ice pack can relieve the pain.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/rashes-from-caterpillars-3969706

EpiPen 0.3mg Auto Injector Expiration Date Extension

On June 5, 2019, the FDA announced a 4 month extension on expiration dates of EpiPen 0.3 mg Auto-Injectors (includes generic version).

NOTE: This extension DOES NOT apply to EpiPenJr. 0.15 mg Auto Injectors.

https://www.fda.gov/…/dr…/extended-use-dates-provided-pfizer

Epinephrine Auto-injectors Retain High Levels of Epinephrine Years After Expiration Date, Study Finds

This is intended for informational purposes only. Hopefully the positive outcomes reported by this article and other related studies will convince epinephrine auto-injector manufacturers to extend expiration dates. C. Wetzel, BSN, RN, NCSN

Quote: The results showed that EAIs up to six months past the expiration date retained 100% of the drug, with auto-injectors one year after the expiration date demonstrating 95% drug content or better. All of the EAIs analyzed up to 30 months beyond the labeled expiration date retained at least 90% of the drug content.

Quote: Despite this research, patients should always discuss their medications with a qualified medical professional. “We are not necessarily advocating for use of an expired medication; however, some patients may need to rely on these while drug shortages and cost of medications continue to make new auto-injectors unattainable,” Dr. Kassel added. “What we do hope is this growing body of evidence will eventually lead to more accurate expiration dates for auto-injectors.”

https://snacksafely.com/2019/05/epinephrine-auto-injectors-retain-high-levels-of-epinephrine-years-after-expiration-date-study-finds/

Voluntary Recall: Infant Ibuprofen Oral Suspension (liquid)

Tris Pharma, Inc has expanded its voluntary nationwide retail recall of Ibuprofen oral suspension drops, USP, 50 mg per 1.25 mL. This is due to health concerns associated with a Higher Concentration of Ibuprofen than what is advertised on the product.

Information in the recall notice indicates this product was sold at WalMart, The Family Dollar and CVS Pharmacy.

Please use the following link for the complete FDA Recall Notice and list of affected lot numbers -- https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm630112.htm

When to see the doctor: Flu Decision Chart (CVMC: January 15, 2013)

Affordable Care Act: Open Enrollment through December 15, 2018

American Nurses Association - Vermont: Announcement

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a national shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors affecting certain products on May 9, 2018.

Information for Consumers as of May 9, 2018

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a national shortage of epinephrine auto-injectors affecting certain products on May 9, 2018.

Currently the following epinephrine auto-injectors are available and are not in a nationally declared shortage:

• Auvi-Q Adult (0.3 mg)
• Auvi-Q Child (0.15 mg)
• Auvi-Q Infant (0.1 mg)

According to the kaleo website, patients with prescriptions for Auvi-Q will be enrolled in kaleo’s direct delivery service and AUVI-Q will be shipped directly to you or your doctor's office with the best product dating. Commercially insured patients can get AUVI-Q for $0 out of pocket through the kaleo direct delivery service. For more information call 1-800-30-AUVIQ or visit their website.

The following products are in a nationally declared shortage, according to both the FDA and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

• EpiPen (0.3 mg)
• Authorized Generic EpiPen (0.3 mg)
• EpiPen Jr. (0.15 mg)
• Authorized Generic EpiPen Jr. (0.15 mg)

The above products from Mylan Pharmaceuticals are experiencing intermittent supply constraints due to manufacturing delays from the manufacturing partner, Meridian Medical Technologies, a Pfizer company. Mylan is receiving continual supply from MMT and expediting shipment to wholesalers upon receipt. Supply levels may vary across wholesalers and pharmacies. Patients who are experiencing difficulty accessing product should contact Mylan Customer Relations at 800-796-9526 for assistance in locating alternative pharmacies.

• Generic Adrenaclick Adult (0.3 mg)
• Generic Adrenaclick Child (0.15 mg)

The above products from Impax Laboratories are experiencing shortages due to problems with following good manufacturing practices. There is no estimated date for when more product may become available.

For the latest information on the supplies of these products, visit the FDA Website or the American Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Advice for Patients: Patients who are experiencing difficulties obtaining the epinephrine auto-injector of their choice due to the shortage should speak to their physicians about getting a prescription for a different auto-injector so that they can have a prescription filled promptly and there is no interruption in the accessibility of this medication. In absence of a current epinephrine auto-injector, patients may use an expired dose but should call 911 and receive medical treatment.

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Epinephrine (actually a synthetic form of the hormone adrenaline) is a self-injectable medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it as a safe and highly effective medication that can reverse severe allergy symptoms.

You must give epinephrine promptly during anaphylaxis for it to be most effective. Delayed use of epinephrine during an anaphylactic reaction can lead to death.

If your doctor prescribes epinephrine, plan to carry two auto-injectors with you at all times. That way, you’ll always have quick access to this life-saving medication.

Have you been unable to fill or refill a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector?  Take this survey.

https://www.foodallergy.org/life-with-food-allergies/epinephrine/epinephrine-options-and-training

May 2, 2018: Allergy and Asthma Indexes for Waitsfield, VT

Graphics generated by www.pollen.com and www.asthmaforecast.com; Retrieved on May 2, 2018 at 08:50 a.m.

NOTE: I learned today that both "indices" and "indexes" are the correct plural form for the word "index." Indices is the formal Latin plural while indexes is the English version, which adds either "s" or "es" for the plural form. Learning English while promoting Health - my Wednesday is now complete! :)

Free Concussion Assessment Clinic March 7, 2018 in Berlin VT

Copied from a post on the Moretown Front Porch Forum on 2/20/2018...

CENTRAL VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER

Attention Parents of Middle and High School Athletes

With spring sports just around the corner, we're holding a free concussion assessment clinic for middle and high school athletes on Wednesday, March 7 from 5-7 pm at CVMC Rehabilitation Therapy in Berlin.

Pre-season baseline concussion assessments inform parents and student athletes on normal functioning, which can support future diagnosis and treatment while assuring a safe return to sport.

Provided free to middle and high school athletes. One-hour appointments start at 5 pm and 6 pm. Space is limited.

Sign up at www.cvmc.org/concussion-clinic.

Baseline Concussion Assessment Clinic
Wednesday, March 7, 5-7 pm
CVMC Rehabilitation Therapy
1311 Barre-Montpelier Rd., Berlin