OVERVIEW

Something Old, Something New: A Guide to the Mystery of Acute Flaccid Myelitis [Enduring] is organized by National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Release Date: 12/08/2022
Reviewed: 12/08/2024
Expiration Date: 12/08/2027

Description:
School health plays an important role in the early awareness and advocacy of AFM. School nurses should be vigilant for possible cases by identifying AFM symptoms and advocating to rule out the diagnosis. Gathering a history of any recent respiratory or GI illness, regardless of fever, will be helpful when referring for further assessment. Most children experienced a respiratory illness or fever consistent with a viral infection before developing arm or leg weakness.

This session will provide the education and resources to enable the school community to increase the identification of early symptoms. This session will also prepare the school nurse to lead the transition of a student diagnosed with AFM back into the school setting. Perspectives from parents as well as multidisciplinary team members will offer insight into the multiple phases of AFM. While the outcome for children diagnosed with AFM is uncertain, a multidisciplinary team that includes the school nurse is essential to the support the child and family will require.

Learning Outcomes
As a result of participating in this educational program, learners will be able to:

Define acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and summarize current CDC updates.
Utilize resources to educate the school community about global emergence of AFM as a public health epidemic.
Collaborate with pediatric rehabilitation facilities to advance understanding of multidisciplinary treatment and medical management of a student re-entering school.
Apply the Framework of the 21st Century School Nursing for Coordinating Care and Leadership to support students with AFM.