Illness can spread very rapidly in elementary school. Students are constantly touching their faces, wiping their noses and touching school supplies and each other, leading to the spread of germs. The proper medical supplies can combat the spread of illness by reducing germs. Almost every school should be equipped with an infectious waste spill kit in the event of vomit or other bodily fluids. Kits typically contain absorbent powder, biohazard bags, latex gloves and surface disinfectants. School nurses may have a non-contact thermometer. These thermometers take student's temperature without contact, making them more hygienic and less expensive because they don't need probe covers. Elementary school nurses will also have exam gloves to prevent direct contact in the event of illness. Classrooms, bathrooms and nurses' offices will also have anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizers. Hand sanitizers are very effective in the classroom, killing 99 percent of germs and bacteria.
Elementary school students generally have a lot of energy which can lead to horseplay and accidents. Elementary schools will typically have emergency supplies on hand in the event of an accident. Some schools may have CPR masks, and in some cases, stretchers, cots, head immobilizers and oxygen equipment. Schools will have aluminum crutches, slings, splints and finger splints. Most schools typically have an eye wash station in the event that a student needs to flush out their eyes. The nurse's office should have Nosebudds in the event of a bloody nose.
Every elementary school will have a basic first aid kit on hand. These kits contain items such as adhesive bandages, antiseptic and wound cleaners, blood clotting agents, gauze and bandages. First aid kits will also supply medical tape, hot and cold packs, antibiotic ointments, burn care supplies, cotton balls and swabs. The school nurse will also be able to administer fever reducers, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Schools will keep diabetic supplies on hand including test strips and other supplies to help diabetic students. The school nurse will be able to provide pillows, blankets and exam tables for students to rest while they wait for their parents to come pick them up in the event of illness during the school day. Most schools will also carry lice treatments or testing kits in the event of a lice outbreak.