Setting Up a Health Center During COVID-19

November 05, 2020

School nurses will be critical in the administration of regulations designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which means it’s more important than ever to ensure their office is fully stocked with all the essentials. Use the following suggested guidelines to determine the appropriate quantities of PPE and sanitizers to purchase.

DISPOSABLE MASKS

Initial recommended quantities per 100 individuals per group per school

Group	Quantity per 100 per group	12-week Supply at 100% Attendance	12-week Supply at 50% Attendance	12-week Supply at 25% Attendance	Assumptions
Students	100 masks per week	1,200	600	300	1 disposable mask per week per student (to supplement the cloth masks provided by parent/guardian).
Teachers and other staff	500	6,000	3,000	1,500	5 disposable masks per week per teacher.
School nurses and health providers	1,000	12,000	6,000	3,000	10 disposable masks per week per school nurse.

The above numbers are suggested guidelines. The actual amount of supplies required may vary.

MATERIALS FOR STAFF MEMBERS WILL WHO MAY BE IN HIGH-INTENSITY CONTACT WITH STUDENTS OR HANDLING WASTE MATERIALS

Initial recommended quantities calculated per 1 staff

Item	1-week Supply for 1 Staff	12-week Supply	Assumptions
Disposable Nitrile Gloves	10	120	10 pairs disposable nitrile gloves per week, per staff.
Disposable Gowns	10	120	10 disposable gowns per week, per staff.
Eye Protection	2	n/a	2 reusable eye protection per staff total.
Face Shields	2	n/a	2 reusable face shields per staff total.
Waste Disposal Medium	1	n/a	1 unit per staff total.
N-95 Ventilating Masks	10	120	10 N-95 masks per week, per staff.

The above numbers are suggested guidelines. The actual amount of supplies required may vary.

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Item	1-week Supply for one building	12-week Supply at 100% Attendance	12-week Supply at 50% Attendance	Assumptions
Hand Sanitizer	1/3 gallon/ classroom	4 gallons/ classroom	2 gallons/ classroom	1/3 gallon of hand sanitizer per classroom, per week at 100% attendance.
Disposable Nitrile Gloves	20	240	240	20 disposable nitrile gloves (pair) per week, per custodial staff member at 100% attendance.
Waste Disposal Medium	1	n/a	n/a	1 disposal medium per school building.

The above numbers are suggested guidelines. The actual amount of supplies required may vary.

In addition to these provisions, the health office space should be configured to provide added functionality and opportunities for physical separation. Please consider the following when optimizing a nurse’s station for COVID-19:

Waiting and triage area with 4 chairs for every 300 students
Assessment and treatment area capable of isolating any suspected COVID-19 cases
Privacy/conference area for counseling and meeting with visual privacy
Quick access to student records, a telephone, and computer
Isolation area with cot and chair for students with potentially infectious problems
Tile or seamless antimicrobial resinous floor or mats to facilitate disinfection of soiled areas
Easily cleanable, hard-surface walls
Heating and air conditioning controls separate from the rest of the building
Access to fresh air and exhaust fans to provide adequate ventilation
Washable surfaces or disposable sheeting to allow for disinfecting between students
Screening equipment as required by state or district mandates
Wall-mounted liquid soap dispensers adjacent to all sinks
Wall-mounted paper towel dispensers adjacent to all sinks
Pedal controlled, covered waste receptacle with disposable liners
First-aid station with washable counter tops and adequate storage space
Sharps container for disposal of hazardous medical waste and procedures for disposal of hazardous waste containers
Folding screens or draperies to provide privacy in rest area