2020-2021 HEALTH SERVICES GUIDE Welcome to the 2020-2021 Cushing Academy Health Services Guide. Herein you will find general information about Health Services as well as specific details regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review this guide carefully so you are informed about our services and policies regarding the care of Cushing Academy students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Health Services at [email protected] or 978.827.7111.
MEET THE STAFF
DR. MICHAEL MUTCHLER - MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dr. Mutchler is a Board Certified Family & Adolescent Physician with a strong interest in sports medicine and medical ethics. A graduate of Loyola University - Chicago Stritch School Medicine, Dr. Mutchler completed his family medicine residency at UCLA and a fellowship in rural family medicine in Tacoma, Washington. He has vast experience providing care to all ages and has been serving as the Cushing Academy Medical Director and Team Physician since 1996. Dr. Mutchler holds a special fondness for Cushing Academy as both of his children are alumni. Dr. Mutchler loves Cushing because of the experiences he has had helping students grow into healthy young adults and working with the dedicated Health Services and Athletic Training staff members.
ELISE LEWIS, APRN, MSN - DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES Elise is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a strong interest in holistic and evidence-based patient care. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, Elise received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing working in a multitude of nursing specialities and settings, with much of this time spent in the intensive care unit. Elise obtained her Master of Nursing with a speciality in Family Medicine at Rivier University. Prior to starting with Cushing Academy in 2020, Elise practiced in urgent and family medicine settings where she discovered her love for adolescent medicine. Elise loves the holistic approach to student wellness at Cushing Academy.
JESSICA PATRIA - HEALTH SERVICES OFFICE MANAGER Jessica is an experienced Office Manager with extensive experience in the day-to-day operation of the primary care setting. Prior to working as Office Manager, Jessica served on several Emergency Medical Services teams as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and spent time in the Emergency department as a Licensed Nursing Assistant. Jessica loves that everyone is so friendly at Cushing and willing to help each other. Everyone always takes the time to say hi and ask you how your day is going.
KASEY NASTEK - NURSE Kasey is an experienced full-time Licensed Practical Nurse at Cushing Academy with a passion for wound care and surgical nursing procedures. Prior to working in the school health setting, Kasey provided care in long-term residential and community nursing settings. She loves Cushing’s involvement with the community as well as their dedication to a range of students from various backgrounds.
CARMEN BELVILLE - NURSE Carmen is an experienced full-time Licensed Practical Nurse at Cushing Academy with a passion for emergency care and infectious disease. Prior to working in the school health setting, Carmen worked in long term acute care working with individuals with chronic illness and tracheostomy dependence. She loves Cushing and getting to know all of the students.
BRITTANY PATIENT - NURSE Brittany is a full time Registered Nurse at Cushing Academy with a passion for health, nutrition and fitness. Prior to working as a Registered Nurse Brittany was a personal trainer and then became a stay-at-home mom for four years while she completed her nursing degree. She loves being a part of Cushing’s friendly and caring community because it feels like a second home.
NICOLE YOUNG - NURSE Nicole is an experienced full time Registered Nurse at Cushing Academy with a passion for pediatric nursing. Nicole has prior nursing experience in caring for pediatric patients with complex respiratory needs and tracheostomy dependence, assisted living geriatric care, and public school health. She loves working at Cushing!
SARAH MAILLET - NURSE Sarah is an experienced per-diem Registered Nurse at Cushing Academy with a passion for working with the pediatric/young adolescent population and school nursing. Sarah has prior nursing experience in pediatrics and primary care. She loves Cushing because it is a close community where everyone motivates each other to be better every day.
1 AVAILABLE SERVICES
Our goal is to work as an extension of your student’s primary care and specialist providers; therefore, Health Services is proud to provide acute and chronic injury and illness care to Cushing Academy’s students. We believe in a holistic student health approach, meaning that we look at your student’s health from many different angles (physical, mental, social, etc.) to develop a care plan that works best for them and you. We pride ourselves in our collaboration with Cushing’s many disciplines, assuring that your student is supported on many different fronts. Our Associate Providers (Nurse Practitioners and/or Physician Assistants) have full prescriptive licensing and are able to order many commonly needed prescription medications such as antibiotics, inhalers, steroids, etc. for acute concerns, keeping students learning and growing. Health Services also keeps a full supply of commonly needed over-the-counter medications for any student needs available 24/7.
Some of the many of the services we provide:
• Acute injury and illness care (ex: sick visits, suturing, stapling, wound care) • Chronic care collaboration with your student’s primary care provider or specialist including facilitation of lab and radiology orders and open communication regarding student’s healthcare goals • Prescription delivery through our collaboration with Westminster Pharmacy and prescription dispensing • Over-the-counter medication dispensing • Health Maintenance Visits (immunizations, wellness visits, etc.) • Around the clock on-site nursing care with an Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant (PA) on call available 24/7 • Close follow up care by board certified APRN/PAs and Physicians • Two fully supplied health units. Health Services A for essential/non-COVID like symptoms and services and Health Services B for COVID like symptoms and services
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
On-Campus Appointments: Health Services offers on-campus medical appointments 7 days a week. Based on your student’s needs, appointments may be scheduled with the nurse or APRN/PA. Dr. Mutchler is also available twice a week for student appointments.
Urgent and Emergent Medical Needs: For urgent and emergent medical needs, Health Services closely collaborates with our local hospital and urgent care centers, and we have established a strong relationship with Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA. We request that if your student is seen at an urgent or emergent care center, that you grant permission for Health Services to receive a record of the visit to best provide continuity of care once your student is back on campus.
Telemedicine Appointments: Health Services is happy to work with you and your student to provide a secure and quiet space for your student to have appointments with their home mental or physical health care teams. Your student may request an appointment space by submitting an Outside Provider Telemedicine Appointment Space Reservation Form. We kindly ask that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice prior to your appointment so we can secure a space.
Off-Campus Appointments:Health Services collaborates with several specialists in the area including podiatry, dental, cardiology, optometry/ophthalmology, and orthopedic providers. If it is determined that your student’s care requires a specialist referral, the provider is happy to establish and make that referral for you.
Transportation: Health Services closely collaborates with Cushing Academy’s Transportation Team to deliver students to their off- campus appointments. We assure safe, risk-mitigated transportation through the use of clear plastic barriers, frequent COVID-19 testing for our drivers, single-student transports, and hospital grade disinfection of our vans between uses. To keep our vans safe and running smoothly, you will see an associated transportation cost below.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will not allow boarding student parents and guardians to transport their students to appointments at this time. This change is part of our COVID-19 risk mitigation efforts. We do encourage you to meet your student at their appointment if you are able to do so.
Asburnham and all bordering towns (Westminster, Gardner, Fitchburg, Winchendon) $15 + Wait time
Leominster $20 + Wait Time
Worcester $50 + Wait Time
Boston and the greater Boston Area (subject to review by the Director of Transportation) $100 + Wait time
Wait Time $6 per 15 minutes
2 Cushing Academy Medical Records: As we have mentioned, if your student receives care from an outside provider, we request to receive a record of the visit to provide the safest and best continuity of care once your student arrives back on campus. Health Services will make every effort to provide any required paperwork before your student’s appointment to facilitate the medical records release process. At the Director of Health Services’ review, if you do not authorize or refuse to release your student’s medical information, and it is determined that your student cannot receive safe medical care without this information, your student may be asked not to return to campus.
MEDICATIONS
Information for parents and guardians whose students take prescription medication.
Westminster Pharmacy & Refills: Moving toward implementing the safest medication dispensing system for your students, we have partnered with Westminster Pharmacy to provide bubble packed medications in lieu of loose pills. This is a common practice that has become increasingly popular in boarding schools. In order to implement this process, we have reorganized our prescription refill flow method. Please note that all student prescriptions must be sent directly to Westminster Pharmacy either electronically or by fax from your student’s prescribing provider. Health Services will reach out to your student’s prescribing provider for refill requests and notify you that a request has been made. Moving forward, Health Services will not be accepting any loose pills or pill bottles.
Westminster Pharmacy 128 East Main Street Westminster, MA 01473 ● Phone: 978-874-5812 Fax: 978-874-1817 Westminster Pharmacy NPI Number for Electronic Prescribing (E-Scribing): 205989506
Medication Dispensing Times: In adherence with safe and best practices, students will not be allowed to keep medications on their person except for emergency medications such as inhalers, epipens, and Auvi-Q. Students will receive information at the start of the semester with daily medication dispensing times. We strongly encourage students to come to Health Services for their medications during these time frames. However, we understand each student’s situation is unique, and we encourage students and parents to reach out with any concerns: [email protected] or 978-827-7111.
Prescription Form: A complete prescription form signed by the student’s prescribing provider must be on file in Magnus in order for medications to be dispensed to your student. This practice helps ensure that the correct medication is given to the correct student in the correct dosage every time. In the situation that a dose is changed, Health Services will reach out to the prescribing provider and the parent or guardian to request a new form be completed. In order to prevent a delay in care, a student’s prescribed medication may be administered up to 3 days while awaiting a completed prescription form from the student’s provider. If on day 4 the form has still not been received, the student’s parent or guardian will be contacted. Please note that due to strict regulations regarding the storage and dispensing of controlled medications (focus medications, some mental health medications, and narcotics), these medications will be destroyed if a prescription form is not on file by day 4. Parents or guardians will be notified before any medication destruction.
Medication Adherence: Please also note that we will be transitioning our Medication Administration Record (MAR) from a protected Google Sheet to Magnus for the upcoming semester. Reports can be sent daily or weekly and can be shared with any part of your student’s team on campus (coaches, advisors, academic support teachers, etc).
2020-2021 Health Services Guide 3 COVID-19
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine:Per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of Massachusetts (DESE) all students are required to provide record of influenza immunization for the 2020-2021 influenza season by 12/31/2020 to participate in on-campus learning. If your student has not provided this documentation, a member of the Health Services team will contact you.
Return to Campus Plan: It is required that all students planning to participate in on-campus learning for the Spring 2020-2021 semester participate in student repopulation on January 28 and 29, 2021. We understand that there are some circumstances outside of the control of parents, guardians, and Cushing Academy. Any circumstances requiring late arrival must be submitted in writing for approval to the Student Affairs Office at [email protected]. If a student falls within one of these uncontrolled circumstances Cushing Academy will do its best to accommodate a student’s late arrival if space for quarantine is available on campus. If a space is not available, we will ask students to arrive after spring break. As late arrivals pose a greater risk for COVID-19 transmission (negative cohorts have already been established on campus and the flow of campus is less restrictive), guidelines will vary from the spring semester arrival day and will include off- and on-campus 14 day quarantines as well as a strict testing regimen. Please direct any questions regarding this process to Director of Health Services Elise Lewis at [email protected].
Please see the Return-to-Campus Plan:
DOMESTIC STUDENTS (MASSACHUSETTS ONLY):
• Begin a 14-day quarantine at home on January 14, 2021.
• Complete the Safety App once daily by 10:30 AM EST, each day, 7 days a week.
It is expected that all students will refrain from travel and high risk activities during this time including, but not limited to, indoor restaurant dining, participating in club sports and hobbies, and social gatherings that include those outside of your immediate household (concerts, parties, weddings, etc.).
• Complete all Magnus Electronic Forms by January 14, 2021.
• Obtain a quarantine COVID PCR test on January 19-21, 2021 to be submitted prior to arrival on campus. Upload result into Magnus under Spring 2020-2021 Quarantine COVID PCR Test Result
• Arrive to campus on January 28 or 29, 2021 (arrival process will be communicated in early January) and participate in an arrival COVID PCR test then begin a campus “quiet” period pending the arrival testing results
DOMESTIC STUDENTS (ALL OTHER STATES):
• Begin a 14 day quarantine at home on January 14, 2021.
• Complete the Safety App once daily by 10:30AM EST each day, 7 days a week.
It is expected that all students will refrain from travel and high risk activities during this time including, but not limited to, indoor restaurant dining, participating in club sports and hobbies, and social gatherings that include those outside of your immediate household (concerts, parties, weddings, etc.).
• Complete all Magnus Electronic Forms by January 14, 2021.
• Obtain a quarantine COVID PCR test on January 19-21, 2021 to be submitted prior to arrival on campus. Upload result into Magnus under Spring 2020-2021 Quarantine COVID PCR Test Result
• Obtain a COVID PCR test 72 hours prior to entry into Massachusetts in order to fulfill the state’s Travel Requirement.
• Arrive to campus on January 28 or 29, 2021 and participate in an arrival COVID PCR test, then begin a campus “quiet” period pending the arrival testing results.
4 Cushing Academy INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
• Complete all Magnus Electronic Forms by January 6, 2021.
• Students will not have to complete a pre-arrival COVID test as Cushing Academy’s 14-day quarantine fulfills Massachusetts’ Travel Requirement.
• Arrive at the DoubleTree Hotel in Leominster, Massachusetts or other Massachusetts-based quarantine location on January 14, 2021 and begin a 14-day quarantine.
◊ Cushing Academy has reserved a block of rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leominster, MA at a discounted rate of $138 per night, including continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Families must make their own reservations by emailing Brittani Cruz at [email protected].
It is expected that all students will refrain from travel and high risk activities during this time including, but not limited to, indoor restaurant dining, participating in club sports and hobbies, and social gatherings that include those outside of your immediate household (concerts, parties, weddings, etc.).
• A COVID PCR test between January 19-21, 2021 will be provided to you and results will be submitted by the Health Services team prior to arrival on campus into Magnus under Spring 2020-2021 Quarantine COVID PCR Test Result. More information regarding testing to follow.
• Arrive to campus on January 28 or 29, 2021 and participate in an arrival COVID PCR test then begin a campus “quiet” period pending the arrival testing results
Surveillance Testing: Cushing Academy has partnered with the Broad Institute at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts for spring surveillance testing. Unlike last semester’s saliva testing, surveillance testing will be conducted via a mid-nostril (nare) PCR swab. Surveillance testing is an important part of Cushing’s COVID-19 risk mitigation efforts. Testing for students and employees will be conducted weekly. Students will begin weekly testing on February 10, 2021. Students will be notified by email in advance with the testing time and place. It is important that students check their email and arrive at the allotted time for their COVID-19 test.
Unexpected Campus Departure Guidelines: While departing campus is strongly discouraged at this time due to widespread COVID activity in Massachusetts, Cushing Academy understands that students may need to go home for unexpected circumstances. Students will be expected to adhere to the following guidelines, as unexpected departures pose a risk for COVID-19 transmission on campus due to travel and, in some circumstances, the nature of the departure reason. Parents must provide the reason for departure as well as request departure guidance as early as possible. If a student leaves campus on a non-designated departure day, Cushing Academy will do its best to accommodate the student’s re-entry into campus and provide a space for quarantine based on availability. In the situation that quarantine space is not available, the student and parents will be asked to either (1) partake remotely until a space is available, or (2) complete the quarantine requirements at the DoubleTree hotel in Lemonister, MA or at home for Massachusetts residents only. If utilizing the hotel, a parent or legal guardian older than 21 must accompany the student during the entire length of stay at the DoubleTree.
Please see the quarantine requirements for an Unexpected Campus Departure student on the next page.
Please note, due to the ever-changing situation of the pandemic, these guidelines are subject to change at any time without notice. Please direct all inquires about COVID-19 guidance to Health Services.
2020-2021 Health Services Guide 5 STUDENT UNEXPECTED HIGH RISK LOW RISK CAMPUS DEPARTURE TYPE STUDENT STUDENT
DEFINING CRITERIA: Any student leaving campus for a wedding, sporting/recruiting Any student leaving event, any overnight stay outside of the Cushing community, day campus for a medical related or overnight college visits, funeral, transported by someone other appointment or a hospital than Cushing transportation or a surveyed Cushing employee. stay (outpatient procedure or overnight stay).
PRE-ARRIVAL If departure from campus is 4 days or less, the student does not REQUIREMENTS: require a COVID PCR pretest.
If departure from campus is 5 days or more, the student will n/a provide a negative COVID PCR pretest within 72 hours prior to coming on-campus. Test results must be submitted by email to [email protected].
QUARANTINE PART 1: Only applicable if determined quarantine space is not available on n/a OFF CAMPUS campus and parents elect DoubleTree option
QUARANTINE PART 2: • The student arrives directly to their on-campus quarantine space n/a ON CAMPUS • The student completes a COVID PCR test on Day 7 after arrival
QUARANTINE RELEASE: • A student may proceed to their assigned dorm once a negative n/a Day 7 COVID PCR test result is received.
FOLLOW UP TESTING: The student will complete a COVID PCR test during the following The student will complete week’s surveillance test date. a COVID PCR test on day 7 from arrival to campus AND the following week’s surveillance test date.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Day 7 Testing: Health Services will schedule an appointment and Day 7 Testing: Health any needed transportation. Cushing Transportation costs may be Services will schedule billed. an appointment and any needed transportation. Surveillance Testing will occur on campus in normal Cushing Transportation circumstances. costs may be billed. DoubleTree Quarantine: • The student must have an adult older than 21 years old Surveillance Testing will accompany and stay with them during the entire length of stay occur on campus in normal at the DoubleTree. circumstances • Day 7 Testing: The adult accompanying the student may decide if they would like to schedule this appointment or request the assistance of Health Services. • The adult is responsible for transportation to the Day 7 appointment Test results are normally available within 48-72 hours, however this is subject to change based on local COVID levels and demand.
6 Cushing Academy COVID-19 PCR TESTING RESOURCES
We strongly encourage parents and guardians to pre-plan and pre-order testing when available in order to meet these requirements. We have provided testing resources below.
VAULT Health COVID PCR Testing:
• Saliva testing conducted via VAULT clinician, supervision via a scheduled VAULT Zoom/telemedicine appointment. • Parents or guardians must be present for collection of samples in students under the age of 18. • These at-home collection kits are then sent to the VAULT lab in New Jersey. • Test turnaround time: 48-72 hours after the collection kit is received by the lab.
Retail Pharmacies:
CVS Minute Clinic COVID PCR Testing:
• Mid-nares COVID PCR testing on site at select CVS pharmacies. • Please be diligent about scheduling your appointment as early as possible (most individuals can schedule appointments 48-72 hours in advance) as CVS has seen an influx in demand for testing over the last several weeks. • Test turnaround time: 3-5 days depending on location’s demand after the sample arrives at the lab. • Please see if CVS COVID testing is available in your state:
Rite Aid Drive-Thru Testing (A Part of Project Baseline)
• Mid-nares COVID PCR testing on site at select Rite Aid pharmacies • Please be diligent about scheduling your appointment as early as possible • Test turnaround time: 1-7 days depending on location’s demand after the sample arrives at the lab • Please see if RiteAid COVID testing is available in your state:
2020-2021 Health Services Guide 7 Walgreens Contactless COVID-19 Testing
• COVID PCR testing on site at select Walgreens pharmacies • Please be diligent about scheduling your appointment as early as possible • Test turnaround time: 2-3 days depending on location’s demand after the sample arrives at the lab • Please see if Walgreens COVID testing is available in your state:
Heywood Hospital Community Testing in Gardner, Massachusetts
• For local Massachusetts students • Mid-nares or nasopharyngeal COVID PCR testing via drive through testing site at the Heywood Hospital Annex Tent • Please be diligent about scheduling your appointment as early as possible • Test turnaround time: 1-7 days depending on community demand • Will require a printed lab order from Cushing Academy APRN. To request an order, email [email protected]. • Further information on testing and scheduling can be found at: Heywood Hospital Community Testing
LOCAL RESOURCES: For your convenience, Health Services has compiled a list of local resources below.
UNITED STATES: Maine Pennsylvania Newfoundland & Italy* Alabama Maryland Rhode Island Labrador* Japan* Alaska Massachusetts South Carolina Northwest Territories Kosovo* Arizona Michigan South Dakota Nova Scotia Mali Arkansas Minnesota Tennessee Nunavut* Mexico California Mississippi Texas Ontario Nigeria Colorado Missouri Utah Prince Edward Island Panama* Connecticut Montana Vermont Quebec Puerto Rico* Delaware Nebraska Virginia Russia Florida Nevada Washington OTHER COUNTRIES: Saudi Arabia Georgia New Hampshire West Virginia Austria South Korea * Hawaii New Jersey Wisconsin Bermuda Spain* Idaho* New Mexico Wyoming Brazil Switzerland Illinois New York China* Taiwan* Indiana North Carolina CANADA: Dominican Republic Thailand* Iowa North Dakota Alberta England Ukraine Kansas Ohio British Columbia France Venezuela* Kentucky Oklahoma Manitoba Germany Vietnam Louisiana Oregon New Brunswick Hong Kong
*As information and resources are frequently updated and amended, please consult your state or country’s Department of Health to verify your area’s current testing procedures, eligibility, and availability.
8 Cushing Academy