ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

Self-Administration.  Medications or food supplements that look like medications shall not be kept on students or in their personal belongings unless advance approval is given by a District nurse.  Students shall not self-administer medications or food supplements that look like medications at school, unless approved in advance by a District nurse with written consent of the parent or guardian.  By law, students with asthma or other airway constricting diseases or students with a risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine auto-injectors may self-administer their medication upon the written approval of the students’ parents and prescribing licensed health care professional without having to first demonstrate competency in self-administration.

Administration of Medications.  The following conditions shall apply to administration of medications (prescription and over-the-counter) or food supplements that look like medications by District personnel to students:

1. Written consent of the parent or guardian, which is signed and dated, must be on file in the student health office for the District to administer a medication.  A Parental Request and Authorization form must include the following information:  Student name and birth date, name of medication, strength, dosage and time of administration, and the student’s physician and telephone number.  Over-the-counter (OTC) medications will be administered with a parent’s completion of the Authorization form if the medication is appropriate for the child as determined by the school’s licensed health practitioner.
2. Only District nurses or employees who have evidence of successful completion of an approved course in medication administration shall administer the medication.  All requests for administration of new medications shall be reviewed by a nurse for the current usage and dosage before being administered.
3. All medication shall be administered in the student health office when practicable.  All medications must be consumed in the presence of the designated school personnel.
4. Medications shall be stored in the student health office or other designated location in a secured place in the original containers as dispensed or in the manufacturer’s container.  All labels will contain the name and strength of the medication, the dosage and time of administration or frequency, directions for special storage or administration procedures and the expiration date.  In addition, prescription medication labels will include the student’s name, the date prescribed, the prescribing physician, and the name and address of the pharmacy.  The nurse or other designated employee may contact the student’s physician if he or she has any questions regarding the administration of the medication.
5. A written confidential record shall be maintained showing all medications administered, the dosage, the name, position and signature of the person administering the medication, the name of the student, the date, time, and method of administration, the prescriber, and any reactions or unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.
6. Acute cases, such as asthma, diabetes, and severe allergic reactions will be handled individually according to administrative rules and regulations.
7. The nurse shall develop protocols for emergency situations involving medication-related reactions.