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​​Documentation/Health Records

 Maintaining a comprehensive health record for each student is the responsibility of the Certified School Nurse. Documentation according to current nurse practice and medical standards is the responsibility of all medical professionals.

Pennsylvania Law and Regulations Pertaining to Student Health Records

  1. Pennsylvania Public School Code
    • Section 1402(b) Health Services
    • Section 1409. Confidentiality, Transference and Removal of Health Records
  2. School Health Regulations, 28 PA Code, Chapter 23 School Health
    • Section 23.8 Maintenance of medical and dental records
    • Section 23.55 Maintenance of health records
    • Section 23.72 Maintenance of records

There has been concern from healthcare providers in providing information to schools without parent/guardian permission. Healthcare providers function under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) while schools function primarily under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services published Joint Guidance on the Application of FERPA and HIPAA to Student Records. This guidance explains the relationship between FERPA and HIPAA and addresses the confusion on how these two laws apply to student records.

Parents' Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Rights Regarding Children's Education Records
FERPA is a federal privacy law that gives parents/guardians certain protections with regard to their children's education records. This publication, from the U.S. Department of Education, provides information regarding those rights.​​