The Sevier County School System through a partnership with Cherokee Health Systems is pleased to announce the launching of the Sevier County Student Medical Assistance Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) at the seventeen schools in the district with elementary and middle grades.  Telemedicine is a key component of S.M.A.R.T.  Telemedicine is a way to connect the K-8 children of the school district through video imaging to medical providers while those children stay at school. The telemedicine connection is a secure, two-way video link with the child and the school nurse on one end, and a medical provider on the other.  During a telemedicine visit, a child can be screened, examined, diagnosed, treated, and monitored.  Special equipment gives the medical provider the ability to examine the child’s ears, eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, etc.

Once the required paperwork is completed by parents, all students enrolled at the seventeen school sites, in grades K-8 are eligible to be seen at our clinics.  Sick visits and lab testing for strep throat and influenza are available.  A Sevier County School System registered nurse (RN) is assigned to each school site. A Cherokee Health Systems pediatric or family nurse practitioner is available via telemedicine. A child can be seen through telemedicine for the following concerns:  Cuts/abrasions, rashes, pink eye, coughs/colds, strep throat, earaches, and/or flu-like symptoms.  Upon receiving a call from the school notifying the parent that his or her child is sick, the parent might not be able to leave the workplace immediately.  With parental permission, a child can quickly have a telemedicine visit with the pediatric or family nurse practitioner without leaving the school.  The visit will be followed by a call to the parents from a medical professional that will provide information on findings and recommendations for continued treatment or referral.

For students with TennCare, CoverKids, or other insurance coverage, Cherokee Health Systems will submit claims to the insurance company. Standard co-pays will apply.  For students without insurance, services will be provided for $5.00 per visit, with a minimal charge for lab services.  

Dr. Jack A. Parton, Director of Schools, stated, “I am delighted that the Sevier County School System in partnership with Cherokee Health Systems is equipped to offer on-site medical services for our children.  Telemedicine utilizes state of the art technology to assist us in attending to the physical needs of our students.  With this program, youngsters in our school district have the opportunity to receive timely care from a medical professional.  Such care will promote healthier and happier students with improved attendance.  I believe this will result in increased academic achievement.”

For more information about S.M.A.R.T., contact Don Best, Coordinator of School Health at 865-453-4671.

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