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Policies

Purpose

 

The Board shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of prescribed medication to a student during school hours in accordance with the direction of a parent/guardian and licensed prescriber will be permitted only when failure to take such medicine would jeopardize the health of the student or the student would not be able to attend school if the medicine were not available during school hours.

 

Definitions

 

For purposes of this policy, medication shall include all medicines prescribed by a licensed prescriber and any over-the-counter medicines.

 

For purposes of this policy, licensed prescribers shall include licensed physicians (M.D. and D.O.), podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, certified registered nurse practitioners and physicians assistants.

 

Authority

 

The Board directs all district employees to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Guidelines for Pennsylvania Schools for the Administration of Medications and Emergency Care.

 

Before any medication may be administered to or by any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written request of the parent/guardian, giving permission for such administration and relieving the Board and its employees of liability for administration of medication and the written order of the prescribing physician, which shall include the purpose of the medication, dosage, time at which or special circumstances under which the medication shall be administered, length of period for which medication is prescribed, and possible side effects of medication.[1][2]

 

Delegation of Responsibility

 

The Superintendent or designee, in conjunction with the Certified School Nurse (CSN), shall develop administrative regulations for the administration and self-administration of students' medications.

 

All medications shall be administered by the Certified School Nurse or in the absence of the Certified School Nurse by other licensed school health staff (RN, LPN), except as otherwise noted in this policy.

 

In the event of an emergency, a district employee may administer medication when s/he believes, in good faith, that a student needs emergency care.

 

The Certified School Nurse shall collaborate with parents/guardians, district administration, faculty and staff to develop an individualized healthcare plan to best meet the needs of individual students.[10]

 

The policy and administration regulations for administration of medications shall be reviewed, at least every two (2) years, by a committee consisting of the Certified School Nurse, school physician, school dentist, and designated administrators and revised as necessary.[3][4]

 

Guidelines

 

The district shall inform all parents/guardians, students and staff about the policy and procedures governing the administration of medications.

 

All standing medication orders and parental consents shall be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

 

Student health records shall be confidential and maintained in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and the Department of Health Guidelines.[5][6]

 

Students may possess and use asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors when permitted in accordance with state law and Board policy.[7][8]

 

It shall be the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian to see that the student reports to the appropriate school personnel at the time required for the administration of the approved medication.

 

It shall be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide all medications and/or medical equipment that will be utilized by the student during the course of the school day.

 

Delivery And Storage Of Medications

 

All medication shall be brought to the nurse’s office, or the main office if the nurse is in another building, by the parent/guardian or by another adult designated by the parent/guardian. All medication shall be stored in the original pharmacy-labeled container and kept in a locked cabinet designated for storage of medication. Medications that require refrigeration shall be stored in a secure refrigerator designated only for medications. The district shall not store more than a thirty-day supply of an individual student’s medication

 

Medication should be recorded and logged in with the date, name of student, name of medication, amount of medication, and signatures of the parent/guardian or designated adult delivering the medication and the school health personnel receiving the medication.

 

Nonprescription medication must be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with the student’s name.

 

Prescription medication shall be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with:

  1. Name, address, telephone and federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) number of the pharmacy.
     
  2. Student’s name.
     
  3. Directions for use (dosage, frequency and time of administration, route, special instructions).
     
  4. Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber.
     
  5. Prescription serial number.
     
  6. Date originally filled.
     
  7. Name of medication and amount dispensed.
     
  8. Controlled substance statement, if applicable.

All medication shall be accompanied by a completed Medication Administration Consent and Licensed Prescriber’s Medication Order Form, or other written communication from the licensed prescriber.

 

When any medication prescribed for a student is initially brought to school, it shall be the responsibility of the certified school nurse to complete the following:

  1. Review pertinent information with the student and/or parent/guardian, specifically:
     
    1. Reason for taking this medication.
       
    2. How often and length of time.
       
    3. What will happen if medication is not taken or is taken incorrectly.
       
    4. Physician comments about the medication.
       
  2. Determine the student's ability to self-administer medication and the need for care and supervision.
     
  3. Observe and evaluate the student's ability to self-administer during the initial administration.
     
  4. Maintain an individual medication log for all students taking medication during school hours. The log shall be kept in a central place and shall include:
     
    1. Name of student.
       
    2. Name of medication.
       
    3. Medication dosage.
       
    4. Time of administration.
       
    5. Route of administration.
       
    6. Signature of student and the monitor of self-administration.
       
    7. Initiation and expiration date of drug.

Disposal Of Medications

 

Procedures shall be developed for the disposal of medications consistent with the Department of Health Guidelines, which shall include:

  1. Guidelines for disposal of contaminated needles or other contaminated sharp materials immediately in an appropriately labeled, puncture resistant container.
     
  2. Processes for immediately returning to parents/guardians all discontinued and outdated medications, as well as all unused medications at the end of the school year.
     
  3. Methods for safe and environmentally friendly disposal of medications.
     
  4. Proper documentation of all medications returned to parents/guardians and for all medications disposed of by the Certified School Nurse or other licensed school health staff. Documentation shall include, but not be limited to, date, time, amount of medication and appropriate signatures.

Student Self-Administration Of Emergency Medications

 

Prior to allowing a student to self-administer emergency medication, the district shall require the following:[8]

  1. An order from the licensed prescriber for the medication, including a statement that is necessary for the student to carry the medication and that the student is capable of self-administration.
     
  2. Written parent/guardian consent.
     
  3. An Individual Health Plan including an Emergency Care Plan.
     
  4. The nurse shall conduct a baseline assessment of the student’s health status.
     
  5. The student shall demonstrate administration skills to the nurse and responsible behavior to include:
     
    1. Respond to and visually recognize his/her name.
       
    2. Identify his/her medication.
       
    3. Measure, pour and administer the prescribed dosage.
       
    4. Sign his/her medication sheet to acknowledge having taken the medication.

The nurse shall provide periodic and ongoing assessments of the student’s self-management skills.

 

The student shall notify the school nurse immediately following each occurrence of self-administration medication.

 

Students shall demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration of medication. Privileges for self-administration of medication will be revoked if school policies regarding self-administration are violated.

 

Administration Of Medication During Field Trips And Other School-Sponsored Activities

 

The Board directs planning for field trips and other school-sponsored activities to start early in the school year and to include collaboration between administrators, teachers, nurses, appropriate parents/guardians and other designated health officials. [9]

 

Consideration when planning for administration of medication during field trips and other school-sponsored programs and activities shall be based on the student’s individual needs and may include the following:

  1. Assigning school health staff to be available.
     
  2. Utilizing a licensed person from the school district’s substitute list.
     
  3. Contracting with a credible agency which provides temporary nursing services.
     
  4. Utilizing licensed volunteers via formal agreement that delineates responsibilities of both the school and the individual.
     
  5. Addressing with parent/guardian the possibility of obtaining from the licensed prescriber a temporary order to change the time of the dose.
     
  6. Asking parent/guardian to accompany the child on the field trip, with proper clearances. 
     
  7. Arranging for medications to be provided in an original labeled container with only the amount of medication needed.

Security procedures shall be established for the handling of medication during field trips and other school-sponsored activities.