A program to keep Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s children healthy and ready to learn by providing access to high quality health and school nursing services in Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s public schools has earned national recognition.
The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹¡¯s , a partnership with the and the (HIDOE) has been designated as an Edge Runner by the . Edge Runners are evidence-based, nurse-designed models that demonstrate significant clinical, financial, community and policy outcomes with proven sustainability and replicability. These programs highlight nurses¡¯ ingenuity and collaboration in developing new methods to provide care and promote health equity.
Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki enhances and builds school-based health services that screen for treatable health conditions; provide referral to primary health care and patient centered medical home services; prevent and control communicable disease; and provide emergency care for illness or injury.
“This national recognition is a testament to the dedication of our nurses and so many people behind the scenes who are committed to ensuring that public school students in Â鶹´«Ã½ have equitable access to health care,” said Deborah Mattheus, senior practice director and dental sealant program director for Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki. “Studies show that students succeed academically when they come to school healthy and ready to learn. Our program puts health care right into the schools. Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki makes sure every child who needs health care, receives it at no cost and regardless of insurance status. In addition, our nurses provide health education and collaborate with community partners to expand health services, such as vision, hearing and dental screenings.”
School-based health services
Since 2014, the program has responded to emerging and ongoing student, school and community needs, as well as funding availability. The Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki RNs (registered nurses) and APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses) are a resource to the entire school community. They lead the coordination of school health services and assist in school wellness promotion and health careers readiness. Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki nurses collaborate with and make referrals to health systems and individual care providers.
By utilizing technology such as telehealth, Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki has expanded equitable access to care for physical and mental health needs. A Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki RN can virtually connect a student to a Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki APRN. With the presence of dedicated nurses in schools, it allows principals and teachers to focus on education rather than students’ health care.
“When we created Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki, our goal was to find nurses who would build an academic nurse-led school-based health program from the ground up,” said Mary G. Boland, dean emerita, UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Nursing. “We focused on creating a program custom designed for the unique qualities of Â鶹´«Ã½ and our public school education system because HIDOE is one system across all islands, separated by geographic distance and size. Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki is currently the largest school-based health program in the state and I am so proud of how the program has grown over the past 9 years. I find deep satisfaction knowing that nurses have truly made a difference in the lives of thousands of Â鶹´«Ã½ students.”
Health care delivered the local way
Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki nurses are compassionate and engaged health care providers. Many serve in the communities they were born and raised in, and others travel across the state to communities they have adopted as family. Every school, community and island experiences different challenges and health disparities. Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki nurses adapt and respond to the unique medical, socio-economic and geographic issues for their complex area.
“The Academy is proud to designate unique and solution-oriented initiatives as Edge Runners. The diverse focus of Edge Runner models highlight the wide range of services, vital support, and team-based approaches that the nursing profession provides,” said American Academy of Nursing President Kenneth White. “The Â鶹´«Ã½ Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program applies nurses as innovative change agents who are addressing a specific health care challenge.”
Mattheus will represent the program and be honored at the , taking place October 5¨C7, 2023 in Washington, DC.