Confidentiality student health records

Confidentiality of student health records and information is a major concern for schools. There are several federal statutes that are relevant including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (ferpa), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (idea), as well as state laws concerning a minor s right to medical treatment. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to present a detailed discussion on confidentiality. However, the confidentiality of health records and a student s desire for privacy may limit the information on a student s health condition that can be shared with teachers. All schools should have policies and procedures regarding student confidentiality. These policies should distinguish health records from academic records and have clear guidelines for how confidential health information is shared within the school (American School Health Association (asha), 2000). 

A related confidentiality dilemma focuses on the source of referrals for expanded services. If it is the school nurse or counselor who refers a student to the program for treatment, documentation of that referral will be noted in the school health record to which parents are granted access under ferpa (American School Health Association, 1999). A similar conflict mises when expanded school... 

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