The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Spinal Screening Program Guidelines is the teaching manual for DSHS-approved spinal screening certification workshops. This manual provides:
- Overview for planning, conducting and follow-up of spinal screening in schools
- All state laws and rules pertaining to school spinal screening in Texas
- Forms for school spinal screening
- Forms for spinal screening certification workshops
- Up-to date information on diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis and other spinal abnormalities
This manual is provided online as a resource for school personnel who are planning and conducting spinal screenings. Reviewing this manual does not replace the state requirement to complete a DSHS-approved spinal screening certification workshop.
To print out the entire manual in proper page order, open the link to the Spinal Screening Program Guidelines PDF below. For questions or assistance, call the DSHS Health Screening Group at 512-776-7420 or email vhssprogram@dshs.texas.gov.
Spinal Screening Program Guidelines [PDF 2MB]
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Introduction
Screening Schedule and Requirements
Establishing a Screening Program
The Spine: An Overview
Management Options
Preparing to Conduct Spinal Screenings
Spinal Screening Procedures
Recording Results and Making Referrals
Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Online Reporting System
References
Glossary
Appendix A, B, and C
Appendix A - Forms for School Spinal Screening [PDF 308KB]
Sample Pre-Screening Letter to Parents (English)
Sample Pre-Screening Letter to Parents (Spanish)
Sample Affidavit of Religious Exemption (English)
Sample Affidavit of Religious Exemption (Spanish)
Spinal Screening Worksheet
Parent Notification and Referral (English)
Parent Notification and Referral (Spanish)
Spinal Screening Report Form (M-51)
Instructions for the Spinal Screening Report Form (M-51)
Appendix B - Forms for Spinal Screening Certification Workshops [PDF 252KB]
Appendix C - Additional Materials and Resources [PDF 144KB]
School Spinal Screening Flow Chart
Spinal Screening Workshop Evaluation
Resources
Texas Administrative Code