"A Healthy Start to Your Student's Life at TLU"
Welcome to TLU! We know that incoming students and their parents have many questions about health and wellness issues. Hopefully this site will provide you with some answers.
1. Independence and Confidentiality Issues Most freshmen are at least 18 years old. In Texas that means that they are now able to make all their own medical decisions and sign medical consents. Breaking confidentiality and releasing information without permission from a student is against the law.
It is helpful for parents to understand that healthcare providers may not release information about the healthcare of their children to anyone without the student's signed consent.
If your child will be under 18 from move-in date on into the semester, you will need to sign the "Parent/Guardian Authorization" section at the bottom of the Health Form. This gives your consent for your student to be treated by the nurse and doctor.
2. Pre-College Health Exam A physical exam is required of all intercollegiate athletes before they arrive on campus. Cheerleaders and athletic trainers are included. Other students do not need to have an exam on file.
All students, including athletes must complete the "Comprehensive Student Health Form" on line during the registration/enrollment process.This is a self report, no visit to the doctor required. Part One is kept by the nurse at the Health Center and Part Two is kept by the counselor. It is important to make sure immunization dates are included. If you don't have a copy of their shot record, request one from the nurse at your child's high school. Beginning January 1, 2010 a state law requires all new and transfer residential students to provide written proof of the meningitis vaccination. Failure to complete the Health Form will result in a "hold" on your student's registration.
3. Immunizations
Required: Meningicoccal Meningitis (Menactra) as of 1/1/2010 for new and transfer students living on campus. Current immunization for the following are recommended for all students:
- Tetanus/Diptheria(Td): Your student should get a booster if he or she has not had one within the past 10 years.
- Polio: The series should have been completed in childhood.
- MMR(Measles, Mumps,Rubella): Students should have two vaccinations.
- Hepatitis B: A blood-bourne virus, considered to be a sexually transmitted disease, can cause inflammation of the liver, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, liver cancer and failure. The vaccination is given in a three-dose series over a six-month period.
4. Tuberculosis Test This is part of the athletic physical. The test is available from the Health Center for a small fee.
5. Medical Records and Prescriptions The "Comprehensive Student Health Form" that you complete prior to the beginning of the school year is kept on file in the Health Center. This form should be filled out as completely as possible. Part Two of this form is filed with the counselor.
If your student has chronic medical problems, it is an excellent idea to have your primary health care provider send the health center a summary of their care, needed interventions, any restrictions on activity and medications used. If the problem involves a disability for which they will need accommodation in the classroom, you need to contact the ADA coordinator as soon as possible. The ADA Coordinator, Terry Weers, can be contacted at 372-8009 or
tweers@tlu.edu.
The TLU Health Center does not dispense presciption medications. There are several chain pharmacies (Wal-Mart, HEB, CVS,Walgreens) and locally owned pharmacies in town. Unlike summer camp, your student is allowed to keep all their medications in their room. If they take an injectable prescription (ie, insulin), they will need a regulation sharps container for disposal of used needles.
6. Health Care Facilities The TLU Health Center is located in the Clifton Apartment, which is in Clifton Residence Hall (South Halls).
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, with a 24-hour emergency room, is located on the East side of Seguin. EMS (911) is available for emergencies.
7. First Aid Supplies Every student should have some basic health care supplies and equipment to deal with minor illnesses and injuries.
Suggestions include:
- Band aids, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, medications for colds/allergies.
- Digital thermometer
- Chemical cold pack(to reduce swelling after a fall, for example)
8. Contacts
The university nurse, Cathy Anderson, RN, BSN can be contacted at 830-372-8068 or e-mail at healthcenter@tlu.edu.
Fax number is 830-372-6391.
9. Insurance
Proof of health insurance is required of only athletes and international students. Althought the university does not offer insurance to students, the following link may help you in your search for health insurance: http://www.texashealthoptions.com/cp/students.html
