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Telemedicine Comes to McDonald County High School

Writer's picture: Ava CoffelAva Coffel

A new program is coming to the high school that is set up to make it easier for students and staff to get medical care.


Ava Coffel/MCHS Journalism Class

September 16, 2022

 



ANDERSON - A new program is coming to MCHS, one designated to help students and staff who get sick during the school year. A rolling cart with computer technology, provided by Freeman, will be used by the school nurse to take vitals and perform physical exams on students and staff alike.

Renee Denton, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Freeman Neosho Branch, introduced telemedicine at MCHS.

“Once permission is received [from parent] to be treated, Freeman does everything else,” Denton said. “We notify that parent, we are getting all the information to register the student, we talk to the parents about medical history, find out about their allergies. All these questions are being asked and forwarded to the provider doing the visit.”

If the parent wishes to sit in on the call, they can do so via a virtual link provided by Tracy Allman, MCHS’ school nurse. This link allows parents to not only see, but also hear what their child’s appointment. This new technology allows everyone including the nurse, the parent, and the practitioner, to see the exam in real-time.

While telemedicine is not free to all students, it is, however, covered by Medicaid and the practitioner will run insurance based upon parent preference. If the student or staff member doesn’t have insurance or Medicaid, the visit is a $35 flat fee.

“If there is any concern with payment our specialist will work with that parent to make sure we’re able to work out something,” Denton said. “We are never going to not see a student because they’re not able to pay.”

With this new program, students will only have to leave the campus if the provider deems them unfit to return to the classroom based on the school’s policy. So far this year, there have been a total of 522 student absences at MCHS due to student sickness and appointments.

“At the end of the visit the student has a diagnosis, if medication is needed then the provider will ask the parent ‘which pharmacy would you like us to call that into?’” Denton said.

“They call in that prescription to the pharmacy, and at the end of that visit the provider will make the school nurse aware of whether or not they are able to return to the classroom.”

Tracy Allman, the lead registered nurse (RN) for McDonald County School District, said while it is still a learning process, she does believe it will help the students and staff as well as cut down on the school’s absent count.

Allman said that she thinks staff will utilize it most.

“Because then they can come in during their break, and get their care and then can go right to the pharmacy after school and get their script, so I think for our staff it's gonna be a really good asset for them to have.”

Angie Brewer, principal of McDonald County High School, said that she believes there are quite a few positives to the new health program.

“The partnership with Freeman makes our county a better place, it provides more services to our students,” Brewer said. “As a parent, I like the idea that my child can be screened at school and I can stay at work. As an employee, I love the idea that I can go in and see a doctor and not have to take off. And as the principal, I love how we can just carry on. We don’t leave classes unattended and if we do, it's for one hour instead of seven.”

Telemedicine is now available for all students and staff in McDonald County High School. If students or parents have any further questions, contact Tracy Allman in the nurse's office.



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