Document Citation: OAC Ann § 3301-32-08

Header:
OHIO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE ANNOTATED
3301 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – ADMINISTRATION AND DIRECTOR
CHAPTER 3301-32 SCHOOL CHILD PROGRAM

Date:
09/28/2012

Document:
3301-32-08. Management of communicable disease.

(A) A person trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease or other illness as required by paragraph (L) of rule 3301-32-02 of the Administrative Code, shall observe each child daily as the child enters the group.

(B) The following precautions shall be taken for children suspected of having a communicable disease:

(1) The parent shall be notified immediately of the child's condition when a child has been observed with signs or symptoms of illness.

(2) A child with any of the following signs or symptoms shall be isolated immediately and discharged to the parent:

(a) Diarrhea (more than one loose stool in a twenty-four-hour period);

(b) Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound;

(c) Difficult or rapid breathing;

(d) Yellowish skin or eyes;

(e) Conjunctivitis;

(f) Temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit taken by the auxiliary method when in combination with other symptoms;

(g) Untreated infected skin patch(es);

(h) Unusually dark urine and/or grey or white stool; or

(i) Stiff neck.

(3) A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be isolated immediately. Decisions regarding exclusion from the program either immediately or at some later time in the day shall be determined by the program coordinator or team leader and the parent(s). While isolated, the child shall be observed for the following symptoms as well as those listed in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule:

(a) Unusual spots or rashes;

(b) Sore throat or difficulty swallowing;

(c) Elevated temperature;

(d) Vomiting; or

(e) Evidence of lice, scabies, or other parasitic infestation.

(4) A child suspected of having a communicable disease shall be:

(a) Isolated in a room or portion of a room not being used in the school child program;

(b) Within sight or hearing of a staff member;

(c) Made comfortable in a warm, safe environment. All linen and blankets used by an ill child shall be laundered before being used by another child, and cots, if used, shall be disinfected; and

(d) Observed carefully for worsening condition.

(C) Each program shall have written policies and procedures for management of communicable disease consistent with the policies of the school district, county board of DD, or eligible nonpublic school board, which shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1) Training of staff members on signs and symptoms, hand-washing, and disinfecting equipment and materials;

(2) Isolating and excluding an ill child;

(3) Caring for a mildly ill child;

(4) Receiving notification from the parent(s) within the same business day when a child has been excluded from school because the child is suspected of having a communicable disease; and

(5) Placing the Ohio department of health's poster communicable disease chart (jfs.ohio.gov) or school's communicable disease chart in a conspicuous place for staff reference.