Procedure 3416P
Medication At School
Each school principal shall authorize two staff members to administer prescribed or non-prescribed oral medication. Oral medications are administered by mouth either by swallowing or inhaling and may include administration by mask if the mask covers the mouth or mouth and nose. These designated staff members will participate in an in-service training session conducted by a physician or registered nurse prior to the opening of school each year.
Prescribed or over-the-counter oral medication may be dispensed to students on a scheduled basis upon written authorization from a parent with a written request by a licensed health professional prescribing within the scope of their prescriptive authority. If the medication is to be administered more than fifteen consecutive days the written request must be accompanied by written instructions from a licensed health professional. Requests shall be valid for not more than the current school year. The prescribed or non-prescribed medication must be properly labeled and be contained in the original container. The dispenser of prescribed or non-prescribed oral medication shall:
A. Collect the medication directly from the parent, students should not transport medication to school, collect an authorization form properly signed by the parent and by the prescribing health professional and collect instructions from the prescribing health professional if the oral medication is to be administered for more than fifteen consecutive days;
B. Store the prescription or non-prescribed oral medication (not more than a twenty (20) day supply) in a locked, substantially constructed cabinet;
C. Maintain a daily record which indicates that the prescribed or nonprescribed oral medication was dispensed.
D. Provide for supervision by a physician or registered nurse.
A copy of this policy shall be provided to the parent upon request for administration of medication in the schools.
Medications administered, other than orally, may only be administered by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. No prescribed medication shall be administered by injection by staff except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation. The parent shall submit a written statement which grants a staff member the authority to act according to the specific written orders and supporting directions provided by licensed health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority (e.g., medication administered to counteract a reaction to a bee sting). Such medication shall be administered by staff trained by the supervising registered nurse to administer such an injection.
Written orders for emergency medication, signed and dated, from the licensed health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority shall:
A. State that the student suffers from an allergy which may result in an anaphylactic reaction;
B. Identify the drug, the mode of administration, the dose. Epinephrine administered by inhalation, rather than injection, may be a treatment option. This decision must be made by the licensed health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority;
C. Indicate when the injection shall be administered based on anticipated symptoms or time lapse from exposure to the allergen;
D. Recommend follow-up after administration, which may include care of the stinger, need for a tourniquet, administration of additional medications, transport to hospital; and
E. Specify how to report to the health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority and any record keeping recommendations.
If a health professional and a student’s parent request that a student be permitted to carry his/or her own medication and/or be permitted to self-administer the medication, the principal may grant permission after consulting with the school nurse. The process for requesting and providing instructions shall be the same as established for oral medications. The principal and nurse shall take into account the age, maturity and capability of the student; the nature of the medication; the circumstances under which the student will or may have to self-administer the medication and other issues relevant in the specific case before authorizing a student to carry and/or self-administer medication at school. Except in the case of multi-dose devices (like asthma inhalers), students shall only carry one day’s supply of medication at a time. Violations of any conditions placed on the student permitted to carry and/or self-administer his or her own medication may result in termination of that permission, as well as the imposition of discipline when appropriate.
|
