What鈥檚 Nemours Link?
Nemours has a strong interest in improving the delivery and coordination of health care to children. As part of this effort, Nemours has developed Nemours Link, which provides community-based primary care providers (PCPs), referring providers and school nurses secure electronic access to select portions of their patients鈥 medical records.
Nemours Link is a confidential, easy-to-use Internet-based tool that can be used by our community providers and school nurses from their offices. Nemours Link allows school nurses a read-only view into the student鈥檚 records.
Which records can a participating school nurse see?
With Nemours Link, participating school nurses can see a written record of most things that happen when a Nemours provider treats a child.
For example, the school nurse can see:
- Notes from the doctor (including letters indicating if your child needs to miss school or physical education class)
- Treatment plans (for conditions from allergies and asthma to heart conditions and recent infections)
- Medicines and how to use them
- Lab and imaging reports
For enhanced privacy, the nurse can鈥檛 see any records from behavioral health/psychology and psychiatry visits or adolescent well visits.
How is a student's private medical information protected?
Before anyone can see a child鈥檚 health record, parents have to sign an authorization form and return it to the school nurse or a Nemours provider. This allows approved school nurses to see a child鈥檚 medical record. For additional safety, Nemours keeps track of everyone who uses our records system 鈥 and what they view.
How long will a student鈥檚 consent form be valid?
The consent form states that the permission will expire on August 15 of the current school year, unless otherwise specified. As with other Nemours consents, these are renewed annually.
How does a family sign up?
If a child is a Nemours patient and a student in a Delaware school, the family can either be enrolled by the school nurse or the student鈥檚 clinical provider. The family will need to verify that the school nurse is participating in this program and has access to Nemours Link.
Does a family have to participate if their school is participating?
Not at all 鈥 it鈥檚 completely up to families to decide whether or not to participate. If you鈥檙e interested, just ask your child鈥檚 school nurse or Nemours provider for a Student Health Collaboration authorization form.
Why should families sign up?
The more school nurses know, the more they can do to help. Nemours Link connects them to information from the Nemours experts who care for your children. Please note that family input is very important. Families should stay in touch with the school nurse. Tell him or her right away if a child鈥檚 condition(s), care plan, diagnosis or medicine changes.
Is there any cost associated with participating?
No, the Student Health Collaboration is completely free to join. For schools, there might be costs involved with updates to computer systems, such as Web browsers or access lines.
Which schools currently participate?
A wide range of schools are currently taking part in our program, with more on the way. As of now, our record-sharing program is only available in Delaware schools, but we hope to expand the program in the future. All Delaware public school districts are participating in this program, with some charter, private and parochial schools also involved. Since each school nurse can chose whether or not they want this resource, participation is ongoing. Check with your school nurse to determine if he/she is a Nemours Link user.
How can a Delaware school join the Student Health Collaboration?
If a school is not already enrolled in the program, the next steps are for the superintendent/principal and school nurse to complete the:
1.听
2.听 to access Nemours鈥 medical records. Note that the user must be a licensed registered nurse
Both the Partner Agreement and User Agreement provide an acknowledgment of responsibilities under state and federal privacy laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Once these steps are completed and authentication is confirmed, the school will receive written notification that access to Nemours鈥 medical records has been granted. If you鈥檙e a school nurse or school personnel and have questions about the Partner or User Agreement, contact Nemours Health Informatics at (800) 650-7344.
Is the Student Health Collaboration available for schools outside of Delaware?
This initiative is currently only available in the state of Delaware. We are exploring expanding this program into other states. Please check back for updates.
What are the computer system requirements for schools?
The hardware and operating system minimum service requirements are:
- Pentium II @ 233 MHz with 128 MB of RAM
- 1024 x 768 screen resolution
- Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP (Apple/Macintosh doesn鈥檛 support all functionality.)
- 56K modem (A high-speed Internet connection (DSL, cable modem, T1 line) greatly improves Nemours Link performance and is, therefore, recommended.)
To use this web application, you must use one of the following browsers on Microsoft庐 Windows庐:
- 听version 7.0, 8.0, or 9.0
- 听version 3.0 or above
Alternatively, you can use this Web application using Mac OS 庐 X with听 version 3.0 or above.
Note: Beta or Release Candidates are not supported.
If your computer doesn鈥檛 meet the Minimum System Requirements outlined above, please contact your office鈥檚 computer support personnel for assistance with upgrading your computers.