5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS

Newton Local School District

Administrative Guidelines

5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS

The medications and/or treatments which may be administered are defined in Policy 5330. In those circumstances where a student must take prescribed medication during the school day, the following guidelines are to be observed:

A.	Parents should determine with the counsel of their child's prescriber whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.

B.	Before the student will be permitted to take medication during school hours, use an inhaler to self-administer asthma medication, or use an epinephrine autoinjector (epi-pen), Form 5330 F1, Parent Request and Authorization to Administer a Prescribed Medication/Drug or Treatment, Form 5330 F3, Authorization for the Possession and Use of Asthma Inhaler/Other Emergency Medication(s), or Form 5330 F4, Authorization for the Possession and Use of Epinephrine Autoinjector (epi-pen) must be filed annually and as necessary for any change in medication order with the school principal and, to the School Nurse if one is assigned to the student’s building.

	1.	Form 5330 F1, Parent Request and Authorization to Administer a Prescribed Medication/Drug or Treatment, shall include the following:

		a.	student's name and address;

		b.	name of the medication/drug and dosage to be administered and/or procedure required to be followed;

		c.	the time or intervals at which each dosage of the medication/drug is to be administered;

		d.	any severe adverse reactions that should be reported to the prescriber and one or more telephone numbers at which the prescriber can be reached in an emergency; a signed parental release that allows direct contact with the prescriber in such emergency reaction situations will not supersede nor abrogate the "Emergency Medical Form";

	e.	special instructions for administration of the medication/drug including sterile conditions and storage;

	f.	the date administration of the prescribed medication/drug is to begin;

	g.	the date administration of the prescribed medication/drug is to cease; authorization for school personnel to administer the prescribed medication;

	h.	agreement/satisfactory arrangement to deliver the medication/drug to/from school (i.e., the medication/drug must be received by the person authorized to administer it to the student for whom it is prescribed in the container in which it was dispensed by the prescriber or a licensed pharmacist);

	i.	agreement to re-submit Form 5330 F1, Parent Request and Authorization or Administer a Prescribed Medication/Drug or Treatment, if the medication, dosage, schedule, procedure or any other information contained on the licensed prescriber’s statement is changed or eliminated;

	j.	the prescriber’s name, address, and telephone number;

	k.	probable side effects.

2.	Form 5330 F3, Authorization for the Possession and Use of Asthma Inhalers/Other Emergency Medications, shall include the following:

	a.	the student’s name and address;

	b.	the names and dose of the medication contained in the inhaler;

	c.	the date the administration of the medication is to begin;

	d.	the date, if known, that the administration of the medication is to cease;

	e.	written instructions that outline procedures school personnel should follow in the event that the asthma medication does not produce the expected relief from the student’s asthma attack;

	f.	any severe adverse reactions that may occur to the child using the inhaler/other emergency medications and that should be reported to the prescriber;

	g.	any severe adverse reactions that may occur to another child for whom the inhaler/other emergency medications is not prescribed, should such a child receive a dose of the medication;

	h.	at least one (1) emergency telephone number at which the prescriber may be contacted in an emergency;

	i.	at least one (1) emergency telephone number for contacting the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student in an emergency; and

	j.	any other special instructions from the prescriber.

3.	Form 5330 F4, Authorization for the Possession and Use of Epinephrine Autoinjector (Epi-Pen), shall include the following:

	a.	student's name and address

	b.	name of the medication/drug contained in the autoinjector and dosage to be administered

	c.	the date administration of the prescribed medication/drug is to begin

	d.	the date administration of the prescribed medication/drug is to cease (if known)

	e.	acknowledgement that the prescriber has determined that the student is capable of possessing and using the autoinjector appropriately and has provided the student with training in the proper use of the autoinjector


	f.	circumstances in which the autoinjector should be used

	g.	written instructions that outline procedures school personnel should follow in the event that the student is unable to administer the anaphylaxis medication

	h.	written instructions that outline procedures school personnel should follow in the event that the anaphylaxis medication does not produce the expected relief from the student's anaphylaxis;

	i.	any severe adverse reactions that may occur to the child using the autoinjector that should be reported to the prescriber;

	j.	any severe adverse reactions that may occur to another child, for whom the autoinjector is not prescribed, should receive a dose of the medication

	k.	at least one (1) emergency telephone number at which the prescriber may be contacted in an emergency

	l.	at least one (1) emergency telephone number for contacting the parent, guardian or other person having care or charge of the student in an emergency

	m.	any other special instructions from the prescriber

4.	A student may possess and use a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler either before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms or to treat the symptoms once they occur at school, or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by the student’s school or in which the school participates. Additionally, a student may possess and use an epinephrine autoinjector to treat anaphylaxis once it occurs at school, or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by the student's school or in which the school participates. The principal or school nurse, if one is assigned to the student's building shall also be provided with a backup dose of the anaphylaxis medication by the parent/guardian, or student (if s/he is eighteen (18) or older).

	5.	Students authorized to possess and use a metered dose or dry powder inhaler under the Board policy may not transfer possession of any inhaler or other medication to any student or permit any other student to use the inhaler medication.

	6.	School personnel are not authorized to assist a student in self-administering asthma medication or anaphylaxis medication unless the policy and procedures regulating administration of medication by school personnel have been met. In the event the epinephrine is administered by the student or school personnel at school, or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by the student's school or in which the school participates, a school employee shall immediately request assistance from an emergency medical provider (i.e., 911).

C.	Upon receipt, a copy of Form 5330 F1, Parent Request and Authorization to Administer a Prescribed Medication/Drug or Treatment, a copy of Form 5330 F3, Authorization for the Possession and Use of Asthma Inhaler/Other Emergency Medication(s) shall be filed in the student's permanent record as well as in the binder with the student medication log sheet.

D.	All medications to be administered during school hours must be registered with the health care specialist’s office. Upon receipt of the medication, the health care specialist shall verify the amount of medication brought to the school and indicate that amount on the student medication log sheet.

E.	All OTC and prescription medication for elementary students must be brought to the school by an adult. Junior high and high school students may transport their own medication to school providing it is taken to the office immediately upon entering the building. The exception to this would be students who have obtained authorization to possess medication on their person.

F.	For each prescribed medication, the container shall have a pharmacist's label with the following information:

	1.	student's name;

	2.	prescriber's name;

	3.	date issued and expiration date;

	4.	pharmacy name and telephone;

	5.	name of medication;

	6.	prescribed dosage and frequency;

	7.	special handling and storage directions.

G.	Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed. The health care specialist will contact parents to pick up unused medication if any.

H.	The staff member administering the medication shall make reasonable efforts to assist the student in taking the medication properly.

I.	If a student does not take the medication at the proper time, the staff member responsible for administering the medication shall attempt to locate the student and administer the medication and to then notify the parents of the importance of the child reporting on time for his/her medication.

J.	All medications are to be administered in such a way as to not unduly embarrass the student.

K.	A log for each prescribed medication shall be maintained that records the personnel giving the medication, the date, and the time of day. This log will be maintained along with the prescriber's written request and the parent's written release. (see Form 5330 F2)

L.	Form 5330 F1 shall be completed and signed by the principal authorizing the person(s) who may administer the medication or procedure.

M.		If, for supportable reasons, the principal wishes to discontinue the privilege of a student self-administering a medication, except for the possession and use of asthma inhalers, s/he shall notify the parent of this decision in sufficient time for an alternative administration to be established.

		Only employees who are licensed health professionals or who have completed the specified drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional and are designated by the Board may administer a prescribed medication to a student.

N.		If a student is exhibiting behavior that causes the teacher to be concerned about his/her medical status, this behavior must be reported to the building principal and/or health care specialist and expressed in writing in behavioral terms. A designated person may then contact the parent and advise that the parent seek medical attention for the child, at which time the written observations may be given to the parent to take to the doctor.

O.		Nonprescribed (Over-the-Counter) Medications

		You must bring any non-prescription, over-the-counter medication that your student needs during school hours to the school office. Authorized staff will administer non-prescription, over-the-counter medication to your student during school hours under your written direction. The parent must complete Form 5330 F1a or Form 5330 F1b - Authorization for Nonprescribed Medication or Treatment and submit it to the school office for filing in the student's records.

		If a student is found with a medication in his/her possession, his/her record should be checked to determine if the proper authorization is on file. If not, the matter is to be reported to the principal for disciplinary action. The principal may use one or more of the following procedures, depending on the particular situation:

		1.	Contact the parent and arrange for the parent to submit Form 5330 F1a or Form 53301b as soon as possible.

		2.	Take the medication from the student and keep it in the school office until the completed form has been submitted.

	The purpose of any disciplinary action on this matter should be to make it clear to all students and parents that, because of its policy on drug use, the school cannot allow possession or use of any form of unauthorized drug or medication at any time.

	P.	In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes and maintain ethical standards, school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers and lay coaches should never dispense, supply or recommend, the use of any drug, medication, or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes.

	Q.	Dispensing of nonauthorized, over-the-counter (OTC) medication by Boar employees to students served by the District is prohibited. Where investigation confirms such allegations, prompt corrective action shall be taken up to and including dismissal.

Revised 3/02
Revised 11/05
Revised 10/06
Revised 4/13/07
Revised 10/26/11