What is the protocol if a student gets sick? Go to the nurse, first…but then what if the student needs to see a doctor? I say this because as we sit here between M10-15, my son’s bad cold is turning into bronchitis and I am going to take him to urgent care tomorrow to get antibiotics. How would that work at BS, when a Rx is needed? And how do they get to a doctor if sick?
Wondering if some of the experienced BS parents can help. Thanks! :)>-
Most BS have an infirmary staffed by nurses with a doctor on duty or on call (depending on the time of day and the school.) The doctor will see your child, as necessary. You can also call the health center and request that your child see the doctor. In addition, most of the time the nurse/doctor will call you if they examine your child.
This applies to children under 18. Due to HIPAA, everything changes when they turn 18…
@sunnyschool I think once again this is a great question for your revist day. In our experience at Exeter, they have a fully staffed 24 hour a day medical center. It functions very much like an urgent care/ scaled down in patient clinic. Kids can walk in anytine and get the care they need. If it is after check in- kids can call security to transport them there.
They also can arrange offsite doctors visits with specialists. Our T1D daughter was brought to endocrinologists appointments by the school. They have doctors on staff for physical and mental health needs.
Based on the size of the schools you are considering, they might not offer this level of service. But I am sure they do have tons of experience with sick kids- good luck!
Just as vegas1 said, most schools have a 24/7 health center on campus staffed by an MD, nurses, and trainers. The annual health fee that you pay (in addition to tuition) covers these services. You will be notified when your child receives care in the health center. If you want, you may purchase an additional insurance policy, or you may just use your current one. These are some things you would want to research in advance - what’s covered if BS is out of state, how likely is that your child may need specialty care, etc.
Choate has an 11-bed infirmary and 24-hour staff. Our son developed appendicitis over College Counseling weekend Jr. year. I got a call on my layover in Chicago to go straight to Children’s hospital in Hartford where his advisor had taken him after the school doctor’s diagnosis. He had his appendix out that night–but not before checking the portal for his SAT scores at midnight prior to the surgery. (Are you kidding me, ChoatieKid?)
Anyway, although we missed a major BS event, he was in good hands all the way. Over his years at Choate, he was in the infirmary enough that they joked about naming a bed after him. I got plenty of calls, plenty of updates, and learned not to worry about him. So, don’t worry, new parents. These schools have your kids covered. 
However, haven’t we heard from parents whose children’s schools had only part-time health centers? I strongly suggest parents look into health center hours and staffing before enrolling their children. Also, it would be wise to make sure there is a good-sized hospital (>200 beds) within easy reach.
This is a good question to ask at Revisit Days. The boarding school we are most familiar with has nurses on duty 24/7 during term, a medical center is less than a mile away, and a choice of hospitals nearby.
This will vary by school and location, though, so ask. Another question to ask is about medical care during sports. Does the school send trainers with teams when they travel to other schools for competitions?
@twinsmama - I recall that conversation something about getting meds with a part-time health center.
Once a year we get an email saying the flu has hit, our beds are full - if your child gets sick and you live within a 3 hour drive come take them home. And less urgent cases will be sent back to the dorms at night.
DS school also has beds so kids can come rest if sick and having to miss a class/sports/etc.
I’d also look into what kind of counselors are on staff. At some point over 4 years, I’d say the majority of students benefit from talking to a trained mental counselor, even if only a one off.
Here’s info on SPS. You can probably find info for other schools online as well. I’d also say pop in at the health center during revisits and ask them any questions.
https://www.sps.edu/Page/School-Life/Food-and-Wellness?siteId=935#
I’m sorry to sad that we have some experience to this. The school has some protocols that apply to various situations, so if a kid has a particular event occur . . . . syncope, head injury, infectious disease, etc., then the protocols get implemented which can include MD visits, MD specialist visits, ER visits locally, admission to hospital, transfer to bigger hospital or children’s hospital for more serious issues. They can even include being quarantined and visiting with public health officials for suspected infectious diseases. They have done this all before and they can manage it. The biggest issue is getting the sick kid to seek the help needed, but when that is done, or if there is obviously public issues like head injury, care is swift and effective. There has been excellent communication from the school medical team to the parents in our experience.
I think it’s very important to read the school’s health policy and description of services, even if you have an otherwise healthy student. I would expect to see a well thought out, reasonable policy not only regarding medical services but also counseling services, support services, mental health, and various lengths of health leave to accommodate different health needs. I would expect to see collaborative problem-solving of academic or health-related issues, including drug or alcohol use, unhealthy eating patterns, reproductive services, learning issues, time management, or academic difficulties. Finally, I would really, really like to see a sanctuary policy that prioritizes student health and safety over disciplinary correction by allowing students to come forward and share concerns about high-risk behavior (both their own or that of peers) without fearing disciplinary response.
@sunnyschool my daughter’s school (Solebury) has the nurse on campus. My daughter has been a visitor many times within the last few years. When needed, the school has taken her to a local doctors office or urgent care (on a weekend). They’ve been great with her when she recently had the stomach bug and then the flu. The school even goes to the pharmacy to fill any script the Dr orders.
I feel very experienced in this topic…or at least the injury topic. This year, we’ve had two concussions, a severe asthma attack, two ambulance rides and ER visits, one overnight at the hospital, and several overnights in the health center. The health center people, coaches, his advisor, the headmasters wife, other faculty and staff…were all very attentive and communicative with 600 mile away mom. I was so in the loop, I never felt the need to hop on the next plane to get to my kid. I did, however, have the need to send him a dozen long stemmed Resse’s Cups as a get well bouquet. Oh, and he is banned from ever playing football again. (oh shucks, she say sarcastically)
Holy moly! @gusmom2000