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What’s �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link?

�þþþþþþþ�Ʒ has a strong interest in improving the delivery and coordination of health care to children. As part of this effort, �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ has developed �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link, which provides community-based primary care providers (PCPs), referring providers and school nurses secure electronic access to select portions of their patients’ medical records.

�þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link is a confidential, easy-to-use Internet-based tool that can be used by our community providers and school nurses from their offices. �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link allows school nurses a read-only view into the student’s records.

Which records can a participating school nurse see?

With �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link, participating school nurses can see a written record of most things that happen when a �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ provider treats a child.

For example, the school nurse can see:

• Notes from the doctor (including letters indicating if your child needs to miss school or physical education class)
  
• Treatment plans (for conditions from allergies and asthma to heart conditions and recent infections)
• Medicines and how to use them
• Lab and imaging reports

For enhanced privacy, the nurse can’t see any records from behavioral health/psychology and psychiatry visits or adolescent well visits.

How is a student's private medical information protected?

Before anyone can see a child’s health record, parents have to sign an authorization form and return it to the school nurse or a �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ provider. This allows approved school nurses to see a child’s medical record. For additional safety, �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ keeps track of everyone who uses our records system — and what they view.

How long will a student’s consent form be valid?

The consent form states that the permission will expire on August 15 of the current school year, unless otherwise specified. As with other �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ consents, these are renewed annually.

How does a family sign up?

If a child is a �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ patient and a student in a Delaware school, the family can either be enrolled by the school nurse or the student’s clinical provider. The family will need to verify that the school nurse is participating in this program and has access to �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link.

Does a family have to participate if their school is participating?

Not at all — it’s completely up to families to decide whether or not to participate. If you’re interested, just ask your child’s school nurse or �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ provider for a Student Health Collaboration authorization form.

Why should families sign up?

The more school nurses know, the more they can do to help. �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link connects them to information from the �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ experts who care for your children. Please note that family input is very important. Families should stay in touch with the school nurse. Tell him or her right away if a child’s condition(s), care plan, diagnosis or medicine changes.

Is there any cost associated with participating?

No, the Student Health Collaboration is completely free to join. For schools, there might be costs involved with updates to computer systems, such as Web browsers or access lines.

Which schools currently participate?

A wide range of schools are currently taking part in our program, with more on the way. As of now, our record-sharing program is only available in Delaware schools, but we hope to expand the program in the future. All Delaware public school districts are participating in this program, with some charter, private and parochial schools also involved. Since each school nurse can chose whether or not they want this resource, participation is ongoing. Check with your school nurse to determine if he/she is a �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link user.

How can a Delaware school join the Student Health Collaboration?

If a school is not already enrolled in the program, the next steps are for the superintendent/principal and school nurse to complete the:

1.��

2.�� to access �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ’ medical records. Note that the user must be a licensed registered nurse

Both the Partner Agreement and User Agreement provide an acknowledgment of responsibilities under state and federal privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Once these steps are completed and authentication is confirmed, the school will receive written notification that access to �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ’ medical records has been granted. If you’re a school nurse or school personnel and have questions about the Partner or User Agreement, contact �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Health Informatics at (800) 650-7344.

Is the Student Health Collaboration available for schools outside of Delaware?

This initiative is currently only available in the state of Delaware. We are exploring expanding this program into other states. Please check back for updates.

What are the computer system requirements for schools?

The hardware and operating system minimum service requirements are:

• Pentium II @ 233 MHz with 128 MB of RAM
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP (Apple/Macintosh doesn’t support all functionality.)
• 56K modem (A high-speed Internet connection (DSL, cable modem, T1 line) greatly improves �þþþþþþþ�Ʒ Link performance and is, therefore, recommended.)

To use this web application, you must use one of the following browsers on Microsoft® Windows®:

• ��version 7.0, 8.0, or 9.0
• ��version 3.0 or above

Alternatively, you can use this Web application using Mac OS ® X with�� version 3.0 or above.

Note: Beta or Release Candidates are not supported.

If your computer doesn’t meet the Minimum System Requirements outlined above, please contact your office’s computer support personnel for assistance with upgrading your computers.