Role of the Health Care Consultant

Health Care Plan Review

The New York State child day care regulations 418-1.11(c)(2)(ix) specify that the HCC must conduct an on-site review of a program’s ongoing compliance with the Health Care Plan (HCP). This is referred to in the HCP as the ‘Health Care Consultant Review of the Health Care Plan’. Many HCCs refer to this activity a ‘site visit’ or ‘program visit’.

The Health Care Plan describes what constitutes the Review of the Health Care Plan specifically that the HCC must visit the program at least once every two years. The visit will include:

A review of the health care policies and procedures, and
A review of documentation and practice, and
An evaluation of the program’s on-going compliance with the HCP and policies.

At this visit, the health care consultant will review the program’s health-related records and documentation including those pertaining to medication administration.

An important factor is the child care program’s responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of the children and family’s information. Therefore, the child care program will need to obtain parental consent for the HCC to access the program’s files. In addition, the HCC may want to provide information about how (s)he will protect the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Health Care Consultant’s Program Visit

The heath care consultant’s program visit to evaluate whether an early care and learning program is following the program’s health care plan is often called a ‘site visit’, but the terminology used in the health care plan is ‘Health Care Plan Review’.

At this visit, the health care consultant will review the program’s health-related records and documentation including those pertaining to medication administration.

Confidentiality for Health Care Consultants

While on program site visit where the HCC is conducting a health care plan review it will be helpful to use a tool to guide the evaluation of the program’s ongoing compliance with the Health Care Plan.

Health Care Plan Review Checklist

When visiting a child care program, the HCC will also observe practices and behaviors that indicate the health care plan is being adhered to. This includes activities such as handwashing by teachers and children, diapering, and surface hygiene. Per regulation 418-1.11(d)(1) programs that are authorized to administer medication also need to demonstrate how medications are administered at the program. This demonstration provides the HCC with a tool to identify both strengths and area for improving safety.

The HCC can also take this opportunity to observe for health-related practices that are not part specifically part of the Health Care Plan. These include activities such as infant sleep practices and opportunity for freedom of movement, teacher language and interactions with children, outdoor play and mealtimes, and potential health and safety hazards.

While on a site visit to the program the HCC will also strive to form or further the co-professional relationship with the child care provider. A collaborative relationship is a key component in how effective the health consultant can be with improving health and safety at a child care facility.