When elementary school students in the Allentown School District need health care during school hours, they can see a doctor or nurse practitioner without ever leaving the building. How? It’s possible thanks to TeleHealth services made possible through a partnership between the school district, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and The Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust. The service is free and available to all students in the school.

You can watch a video, below, that explains how TeleHealth works. It’s also on the Allentown School District website. When a child gets an acute illness at school, such as a sore throat or skin rash, the school nurse uses TeleHealth technology to present the child to an LVHN physician or nurse practitioner, who is at a remote location. TeleHealth equipment allows clinicians to examine the child’s ears, throat and skin. If necessary, clinicians can screen for strep throat, provide an electronic prescription and encourage families to follow up with their primary care doctor. If the child is deemed well, he can return to class.

The program’s goals include getting children the care they need when they need it, and keeping them healthy and learning.

Glitterbug is an interactive program in which kids and adults of all ages can apply a nontoxic lotion that glows under a black light to represent “make-believe germs.” Then they wash their hands and put them under the light again to see which “germs” remain.

An event next weekend at your local YMCA is all about helping you get a jump on enjoying a healthier summer with your family. YMCAs across the country are celebrating Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 27, with active play and educational activities to inspire families to get moving and improve their well-being.

Children’s Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Radio Disney AM 640 are joining the excitement 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Allentown YMCA & YWCA, 425 S. 15^th St., Allentown, Pa. You can follow the YMCA on Facebook.

Along with energizing activities such as sports and crafts, here’s what’s in store:

Children’s Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital’s infection control and prevention team will bring its interactive GlitterBug® program to the YMCA to teach proper hand-washing technique to keep away illnesses. Kids and adults of all ages can apply a nontoxic lotion that glows under a black light to represent “make-believe germs.” Then they wash their hands and put them under the light again to see which “germs” remain. Read More »