University of Chicago Infection Prevention Outreach (UCIP) works with schools and districts to promote and develop Wellness and Health through Infection Prevention(WHIP). In the 2011-2012 academic year alone, pertussis or “whooping cough”, norovirus or “stomach flu”, and MRSA have hit media headlines as they have contributed to illness, fear, absenteeism, and school closings across the state and region. State policy has reflected the severity of infectious threats in the school setting as Illinois recently passed a new law requiring all students entering 6th and 9th grades beginning Fall 2012 to show proof of vaccination with Tdap, the pertussis booster. We know that healthy children perform better in school and health is an integral part of keeping children in the classroom.
The Infection Prevention Outreach program aims to work closely with the School Nurse, offering consulting, resources, and support in a role that often requires being the sole healthcare provider in a non-medical environment. UCIP offers monthly educational webinars to school nurses across the state on an infectious topic, either pertinent to the current month or chosen by the nurses. This initiative currently includes 150 school nurses in the Chicago region who have the opportunity to not only learn while earning CNE credits towards their recertification, but to collaborate with one another in order to improve current practices and procedures.
Working with school administration, UCIP offers Readiness Reviews, whereby infection prevention experts come into a school or district to review current policies and processes surrounding infectious diseases and offer recommendations for improvement upon handling of these situations. A thorough review of protocols and infrastructure allows a school or district to avoid preventable outbreaks and remain prepared for those that do occur. Taking the Readiness Review a step further, schools or districts may purchase a 1-year Membership Subscription. This subscription includes an on-site readiness review, access to monthly webinars and CNE credit opportunities, as well as consultation with University of Chicago Medicine experts regarding infection prevention and control in the school setting. Outbreak Management and School-based Immunization Clinics are invaluable resources offered to schools in the Chicagoland area to assist schools in ensuring the health of their school communities.
SERVICES OFFERED
Readiness Review
A comprehensive review of policies and procedures to ensure your school is up to date and prepared to handle infectious threats.
Membership Subscription (1-year)
This subscription includes a Readiness Review, Online-only Subscription, and individual infection prevention consulting from University of Chicago experts during normal business hours.
Online-Only Subscription (1-year)
Access to monthly educational webinars, CNE credit opportunities, and a rich Resource Gallery designed to aid the school nurse in the handling of infectious threats.
Outbreak Management
UCIP experts will conduct an on-site visit to assess the outbreak situation, review infection control measures in place, and develop recommendations for controlling and extinguishing the outbreak. Assistance with both internal and external communication related to the outbreak is also provided.
School-based Immunizations
School-based immunization programs utilize mass immunization infrastructure to limit overhead costs, while offering preventative, cost-effective care to a population known to be the epicenter of disease transmission: school-age children. Promoting immunization awareness, vaccination of whole families, and immunization of both students and teachers, encourages healthy behaviors and promotes a healthy school community.