SNC Newsletter August 2025 No. 13
Certificates, licenses and renewal notices are now digital
The Washington State Department of Health recently launched the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS), a new licensing system for all healthcare professionals and facilities. HELMS brings applications and credentialing online through a modern, self-service user portal. Learn more
What is Indoor Air Quality?
Protect Your Family and Yourself
Did you know we spend about 90% of our time indoors? Poor indoor air quality can impact everyone – especially children, the elderly, and people with health conditions like asthma and heart disease.
Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, particularly as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.
Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. There are many sources of indoor air pollution – everything from building materials and household cleaners to biological pollutants, such as mold, dust mites and pet dander.
Download the new IAQ factsheet to learn more!
**Scam artists posing as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents targeting nurses**
The scammers identify themselves as DEA agents or Board investigators, calling about ongoing investigations regarding their license issued by WABON.
No DEA agent, WABON investigator or staff member will ever contact nurses by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment. If you receive a call such as the one described, refuse the demand for payment and do not disclose any personal information. Learn more
Seasonal Health Alert : Wildfire Smoke
It’s on the horizon—wildfire smoke! While we all know it’s unpleasant, it can also cause minor to serious health effects. Wildfire smoke contains small particles and chemicals that can result in minor symptoms like eye irritation, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. It can also cause more serious effects like worsening of lung, heart, and circulatory conditions, triggering asthma attacks, or causing chest tightness.
Smoke is unhealthy for everyone; some people are more susceptible to its dangers: infants, children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease, diabetes, or respiratory illnesses. Get more information HERE.
Risks and Realities of Oral Steroid Overuse for Eczema
Our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast series on oral corticosteroid (OCS) overuse continues with a look at eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatment. This is the second of two episodes about using OCS medications. We talk about the risks of using systemic steroids (pills, injections or IV) and topical steroids (creams or ointments) too often for eczema treatment.
Don't Keep Your Epinephrine In a Hot Car – Here's Why
Who is at risk for getting head lice?
Back-to-school time often brings an increase in head lice cases. While lice are a nuisance, they are not considered a health risk and are spread through close head-to-head contact.
Head lice are found worldwide. In the United States, head lice infestations are seen most often among preschool children attending child care, elementary school children, and household members of infested children, including adults. It is estimated that in the U.S., 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year among children 3 – 11 years of age.
- Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.
- Itching (after developing sensitivity to the saliva in head lice bites).
- Irritability and difficulty sleeping; head lice are most active at night.
- Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria found on the person’s skin (head lice themselves do not transmit disease).
Read more and find resources on head lice HERE.
Respiratory Inhalers at a Glance and Other Posters in Our Online Store
Did you know that Allergy & Asthma Network has an Online Shop? Our most popular items are our posters, including our respiratory inhalers at a glance poster and asthma medications chart. The online shop is full of more than 60 resources for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. You can shop for posters, pamphlets, guides, and even children’s books to help you manage health conditions. Most resources are available at little to no cost.
DOH Launches Tool to Help Washingtonians Find Free Naloxone
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched an online tool to help residents quickly locate free naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl. Preliminary data from 2024 show that more than 3,100 people in Washington state died from drug overdoses, with opioids involved in 79% of those cases.
The Naloxone Finder is now hosted on the DOH website, making it easy for people to locate free naloxone. A similar tool was developed in 2018 by the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington as part of StopOverdose.org. DOH thanks ADAI for its leadership in creating and maintaining the original tool and for its continued partnership during the transition.
Naloxone, also known by the brand name NARCAN®, is a medication that quickly reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of the drug and restoring normal breathing—often within minutes. This includes overdoses involving fentanyl.
- Naloxone is available as an injection or nasal spray and is easy to use.
- Anyone can give naloxone—no special training is needed.
- It’s safe to use even when there’s no overdose, and can be given to people of all ages, including children and even pets.
“We’re grateful to the community and public organizations across the state that continue to offer free naloxone and help keep this resource up to date,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, State Health Officer. “The Naloxone Finder is especially valuable to those who should carry it: people who use opioids and those they interact with, including their friends, family, and loved ones.”
The Naloxone Finder provides information from organizations that offer free naloxone to the public, along with instructions for use and other helpful resources. To add your program, fill out this form. To update a listing or share feedback, please contact us by email.
Naloxone is also available without a prescription at pharmacies and major retailers across the state. DOH encourages individuals to use their health insurance or purchase naloxone if they are able, as free supplies are limited and intended for those without other access.
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, DOH has launched comprehensive overdose prevention campaigns to raise awareness and educate the public on how to stay safe and protect their loved ones.
Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.
Overdose Awareness Series - Every Tuesday in August
Our 6th Annual Free Overdose Awareness Series starts in one week!
Our series explores unintentional and intentional overdose, preventing and reducing harm from overdose, and accessing resources. Join us in opening dialogue, de-stigmatizing, and promoting awareness of the help available in our communities.
This series is free and held entirely online every Tuesday in August: August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. Registration will provide access to all four days. Sessions will run from 9am - 4:30/5pm PDT. You do not need to attend every session - see the agenda below (or view online) to choose those most relevant to you!
Know anyone who may find these topics interesting or useful for their profession? Feel free to share — all are welcome!
Parent Designated Adult Training
SNC offers multiple opportunities to complete training to become a Parent Designated Adult (PDA). PDAs in a school setting help care for students who have diabetes and ensure a safe and therapeutic learning environment.
Three dates/times available for In-Person training:
Monday, August 11 2025 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Lots of space left for these two dates:
Thursday, August 14 2025 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday, August 27 2025 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Register Here.
**SAVE THE DATE** - FREE Narcan Training
August 14, 2025 10AM - 12PM PT
SAVE A LIFE. GET TRAINED.
The Rayce Rudeen Foundation, in partnership with Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is providing free Naloxone training open to school nurses, school safety personnel, athletic trainers, coaches and other school staff.
Register on pdEnroller.
!! Fill Your Toolbox : 2025 Virtual School Nurse Conference !!
🧰August 15th, 2025 • 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.🧰
Live via Zoom
Topics:
• Legalities for School Nurses
• How to Better Serve Students with Diabetes
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity (meets the 2-hour Health Equity requirement for WA state nurses)
• Human Trafficking
• De-escalation
• Seizures
Registration: $50 (registration will close August 14th, 2025)
Questions: outreach.education@providence.org
CNE hours will be provided.
Providence Nursing Institute is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The annual DOH School Environmental Health & Safety Fall Workshops will be online this year!
This year's workshops will be remote to be more inclusive of those experiencing travel restrictions and available for partners across the state.
Join us to hear about important topics in school EH&S. Expert presenters from multiple areas will inform participants about the latest issues, updates, and trends.
Topics will include technical updates and discussions. We invite anyone supporting school environmental health work, including school facilities staff, administrators, risk managers, nurses, and local health school partners.
Please add a hold in your calendars for these events! A link to register is coming soon.
🍎🍏🍎
Day One
Date: Wednesday, November 5th
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Day Two
Date: Thursday, November 6th
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Each day will feature different presenters. We hope you can join us for both. An agenda with subjects and speakers will be available closer to the event date.
We plan to offer continuing education units (CEUs) for sanitarians and school nurses to enhance professional credentials and expertise.
Find many resources including guidance, videos, and links at our DOH School Environmental Health & Safety webpage and previous presentations at School Environmental Health and Safety - Fall Workshops
For questions, please contact schoolehs@doh.wa.gov
Bloodborne and Other Pathogens Refresher/Update
Need the latest copy of the Bloodborne and Other Pathogens Refresher/Update?
Download it here from the SNC Orientation Google Drive.