Planning and preparation by school personnel are key elements for guaranteeing the safety of these students and the delivery of quality health services and quality education.

Developing Individualized Health Care Plans (IHCP) requires the nurse to complete a full assessment and understand the student's health issues. To help you develop Individualized Health Care Plans for your students, here are some pointers to make sure that each student receives complete medical and educational services. A well-designed health care plan is an essential tool for facilitating the integration of all children with special health needs, regardless of the educational setting. Planning and preparation by school personnel are key elements for guaranteeing the safety of these students and the delivery of quality health services and quality education.

  • Transdisciplinary Team Members: Identify who should be one this team and identify their role and responsibilities.
  • Support Personnel: Identify the child's physician and other health care providers who are not a member of the transdisciplinary team.
  • Identify Staff Training Needs: Ideally, training should occur prior to the student's arrival at the school setting. This training should be carried out by qualified professionals. Retraining may also need to be necessary if the student's health status changes.
  • Brief Medical History: This information should only be relevant to the current or ongoing care of the student.
  • Description of Current Medical Condition: This should include the details of the health care currently being provided to the student, and its impact on the child's performance in school.
  • Medical Management: How procedures should be performed in school and by school personnel. It should include the reason, as well as details regarding when, how, where, how often and who will perform the procedure. Step-by-step instructions should be listed.
  • Feeding and Nutritional Needs
  • Medication Requirements
  • Equipment Needs: Any assistive technology or medical equipment that is necessary should be listed, along with a description of how the devices work and should be maintained. Training required should be also listed in this section.
  • Transportation Needs: Any special transportation needs, as well as training in emergency procedures should be listed. A copy of the health plan should be provided to the bus driver and other individuals responsible for transportation of the student.
  • Family Requirements: This could include special request regarding the care of the student.
  • Health Status: List indicators that a change of health status is occurring. This should include parameters, as well as when to move to the Medical Emergency Plan.
  • Documentation: Should be kept daily on any procedures performed. Remember, if it's not documented, the procedure was not done.
  • Plan Modification: These plans should be reviewed on a regular basis to make appropriate changes.