Health Care Policies | Westwood XC Camp

HEALTH CARE POLICY

1. Daily Health Supervision: Westwood Cross Country Camp will have a Health Care Supervisor on staff 24 hours a day. A licensed Health Care Consultant will be on call 24 hours a day. In non-emergency situations involving a mildly ill or a camper with a minor injury, the Health Care Supervisor will treat the camper at the Winadu Health Lodge and monitor for symptoms. The Health Care Supervisor will log reported symptoms and treatments. If injury persists or illness worsens, the Health Care Supervisor will call the Health Care Consultant and the camper’s family.

2. Infection Control: For isolated cases of communicable diseases, campers will be kept in individual quarantine rooms at the Winadu Health Lodge until the parents or other designated guardians can pick up the camper. With each case, the Health Care Supervisor or the Camp Director will notify the Camp Winadu facility director and the Pittsfield Board of Health. If other campers or staff members show symptoms of the communicable disease, those individuals will also be quarantined at the Winadu Health Lodge in separate rooms. The Health Care Supervisor or the Camp Director will continue to notify the Camp Winadu facility director and the Pittsfield Board of Health. If a staff member needs to be quarantined, the Camp Director will send the staff member home for the remainder of the week and adjust duties for remaining staff. If a communicable disease becomes more widespread, the Camp Director will work with the Pittsfield Board of Health to mitigate exposure by creating more temporary quarantine spaces as needed outside of the Winadu Health Lodge and to potentially cancel the remainder of camp. For temporary quarantine spaces, there are individual rooms next to Sime Cottage (for staff) and other cabin space that can be made available. Depending on the disease and the significance of its spread and the recommendations from the Pittsfield Board of Health, the Camp Director would communicate with parents about ending camp early to ensure campers return home safely and to limit the continued spread of the disease. If we were to cancel camp early due to an infection outbreak, we may have to wait for parents to pick up their campers for 24 hours. During that time, we would eliminate mass gatherings by staggering mealtimes for cabins, encouraging individuals to stay outside, and limiting interaction between cabins. In this situation, the counselors would use cell phones to communicate instantaneously about logistical plans to keep campers safe and healthy.

3. Medication Storage: Medication prescribed for campers shall be kept in original containers bearing the pharmacy label, which shows the date of filling, the pharmacy name and address, the filling pharmacist's initials, the serial number of the prescription, the name of the patient, the name of the prescribing practitioner, the name of the prescribed medication, directions for use and cautionary statements, if any, contained in such prescription or required by law, and if tablets or capsules, the number in the container. All over the counter medications for campers shall be kept in the original containers containing the original label, which shall include the directions for use. (M.G.L. c. 94C, § 21). All medication prescribed for campers shall be kept in a secure manner (e.g., locked storage or in the controlled possession of the individual responsible for administering them, according to American Camp Association Accreditation Process Guide). Medications requiring refrigeration shall be stored at temperatures of 36°F to 46°F in accordance with Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy guidance regarding proper storage of refrigerated and frozen medications. Prescription Medications shall only be administered by the health care supervisor authorized by the Health Care Consultant. The health care consultant shall acknowledge in writing a list of all medications administered at the camp. Medication prescribed for campers brought from home shall only be administered if it is from the original container, and there is written permission from the parent/guardian. The Health Care Supervisor will be qualified and trained to administer epinephrine auto-injectors, medication for diabetes care, and all other medications as approved by the health care consultant. The health care supervisor will confirm that parents have given permission for their child to self-administer. If the health care supervisor does not have permission for the camper to self-administer, the health care supervisor will keep the medication in a secure manner in the Winadu Health Office. At the end of camp, medications shall be returned to a parent or guardian whenever possible. If the medication cannot be returned, it shall be disposed of in accordance with state and federal laws and such disposal shall be documented in a medication disposal log.

4 /5. The Health Care Supervisor will have insect repellant, sunscreen, and band-aids available at the Winadu Health Lodge. The Health Care Supervisor will make campers aware of procedures for using insect repellant and conducting daily tick checks—and promote allergy awareness. At the opening night of camp, the Health Care Supervisor will review these with all campers.

6. Health Emergencies: All Health Emergencies will be reported immediately to the Health Care Supervisor. If the injury is severe, the camp directors and the Health Care Consultant will be notified. The Health Care Supervisor or the Camp Director will call for an ambulance if determined to be appropriate by calling 911. A Camp Director or designee will then ride in the ambulance with the camper and stay at the hospital until family arrives. The parents will be notified by the Health Care Supervisor or the Camp Director. The Health Care Supervisor will log any emergency incident in the camp log book — and the MA Department of Public Health Recreational Camps for Children Reporting Form (MA Form to Report Injury & Illnesses). The Health Care Supervisor will also electronically notify Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Pittsfield Board of Health.

7. For an ambulance, the Camp Director or Health Care Supervisor will call 911. If needed, here are additional phone numbers of Pittsfield Ambulance services: County Ambulance (413) 499-2527) or Action Ambulance Service (413) 445-5355.

8. The Health Care Supervisor will supervise all provisions for medical, nursing, and first aid services. The Health Care Supervisor will supply all medical supplies to campers in need of medical services. All campers will meet with the Health Care Supervisor who will review their physical exam reports. All prescribed medications must be registered with the Health Care Supervisor. All medications and medical aides must be registered with the camp Health Care Supervisor prior to camp starting. See Medication Administration Policy below for more details. If a camper requires use of medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprophen for minor ailments (aches, pains, headaches), the Health Care Supervisor will communicate with the parent prior to administering the medication. For First Aid Equipment, The Health Care Supervisor will have their First Aid Equipment with them at all activities. This First Aid Equipment must meet the 2015 standards of Class A & B ANSI Z308.1. It is the responsibility of the Health Care Supervisor to maintain this equipment. The Health Care Supervisor will be available at all camp activities. At night, she will be located at the Winadu Health Office. Only the Health Care Supervisor or staff members certified in First Aid will have access to the kit. Medication Administration (See Section Below)

9. Health Care Supervisor: Fiona Murphy, (508-843-2755)

10. Health Care Consultant: Margaret Rice, Nurse Practitioner, 2 Washington Suite 2A, Canton, MA (617-967-7709). The Health Care Supervisor will communicate with the consulting Health Care Consultant on all serious matters related to medical care.

Medication Administration Policy: The health care supervisor will be the only staff member authorized to administer medications. The health care supervisor will review each camper’s medical history and will collect any medications during registration. This Health Care Supervisor will be qualified and trained to administer epinephrine auto-injectors, medication for diabetes care, and all other medications as approved by the health care consultant. The health care supervisor will confirm that parents have given permission for their child to self-administer. If the health care supervisor does not have permission for the camper to self-administer, the health care supervisor will keep the medication in a secure manner in the Winadu Health Office. At the end of camp, medications shall be returned to a parent or guardian whenever possible. If the medication cannot be returned, it shall be disposed of in accordance with state and federal laws and such disposal shall be documented in a medication disposal log.

Epi-Pens: Campers who have a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector for a known allergy or pre-existing medical condition are allowed to self-administer and possess an epinephrine auto-injector at all times—as long as the camper is capable of self-administering and the health care consultant and the camper’s parent/guardian have given their written approval via CampMinder. As a part of staff orientation, the health care consultant will train unlicensed staff how to use an epi-pen only in the case of an emergency where the camper and the health supervisor are unable to administer.

Diabetes: Campers who are authorized to monitor blood sugar or administer medication for diabetes care (including insulin injections) are allowed to self-monitor and self-administer provided that blood monitoring activities and self-administration take place in the presence of the health care supervisor—and provided that the health care consultant and the camper’s parent/guardian have given written informed consent for the camper to self-administer and self-monitor via CampMinder.

Inhalers: Campers who have a prescription for an inhaler for a pre-existing medical condition are allowed to self-administer and possess an inhaler at all times as long as the camper is capable if self-administration, and the health care consultant and the camper’s parent/guardian have given written informed consent for the camper to self-administer and self-monitor via CampMinder.

Medical Log: The Health Care Supervisor shall maintain a medical log which shall contain a record of all camper and staff health complaints and treatments. The medical log shall list the date and time, name of patient, complaint, and treatment for each incident, and shall include information on all medication administration errors, whether or not resulting in injury. The medical log shall be maintained in a readily available format and shall be signed off by the Camp Director.

Medical Waste: The Health Care Supervisor will store all Medical Waste in a clearly marked receptacle in the Winadu Health Lodge. The labeled receptacle will contain a single, leak-resistant biohazard bag designed to contain medical waste. The storage area will be well ventilated and be inaccessible to pests. If that bag becomes punctured, a second bag will be used around the first to provide a necessary seal. When the container is full or at the end of the week, the Health Care Supervisor will transport the bag of medical waste to the Berkshire Medical Center (413-447-2654) for appropriate disposal.

Eating Disorders or Food Allergies Policy: An email will be sent to all parents and campers informing them that if they have a severe food allergy or eating disorder, they should notify our staff. For food allergies, the Health Care Supervisor will make an arrangement with the camp on the dietary offerings for these campers. The camp will in turn meet the needs of the campers. For eating disorders, our Health Care Supervisor will meet with that camper and parent at registration and develop a strategy for the week. The Health Care Supervisor will monitor campers during the week by privately checking in with them and making necessary adjustments as necessary. If there is a negative reaction to the food, the Health Care Supervisor will be involved and will respond immediately. The parents will be called as soon as possible to assess what can be done to support the camper in recovery and eliminate future risks.

Vaccinations

To attend camp, all campers and staff must have the following vaccinations outlined here. In particular, families should especially be aware of the Meningococcal Disease. For more information regarding immunization, see the information provided here.