5330 - ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS

School District Of Westfield

Administrative Guidelines

5330 - ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS

For purposes of this guideline:


	A.	"Practitioner" shall include any physician, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, physician assistant, and advanced practice nurse prescriber who is licensed in any State.

	B.	"Medication" shall include all drugs including those prescribed by a practitioner and any nonprescription drug products.

	C.	"Administer" means the direct application of a nonprescription drug product or prescription drug, whether by injection, ingestion, or other means, to the human body.

	D.	"Nonprescription drug product" means any non-narcotic drug product which may be sold without a prescription order and which is prepackaged for use by consumers and labeled in accordance with the requirements of State and Federal law.

		Nonprescription drug products include cough drops that contain active ingredients. These cough drops must be handled in the same manner as aspirin, Advil and Tylenol. If a cough drop contains only sugar, water, and some menthol, the procedures for handling nonprescription drug products are not required.

Prescribed Medications

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 their practitioner’s counsel whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.

B.	The Medication Request and Authorization Form 5330 F1 must be filed with the school principal before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours. This written and signed request form is to be submitted on an annual basis, or more often if changes in dosage occur, and will include:

	1.	student's name and date of birth;

	2.	medication and dosage or procedure required;

	3.	times required;

	4.	special instructions including storage and sterility requirements;

	5.	date prescribed medication will be started;

	6.	date prescribed medication will no longer be needed;

	7.	practitioner's name, address, and telephone number;

	8.	probable side effects;

	9.	authorization for school personnel to administer the prescribed medication, if necessary, but only in the presence of an authorized staff member or parent;

	10.	agreement/satisfactory arrangement to deliver medication to/from school;


	11.	agreement to notify the school in writing if the medication, dosage, schedule, or procedure is changed or eliminated. A new request form must be submitted each school year or for each new medication.

C.	For each prescribed medication, the medication shall be in the original pharmacy-labeled package with the following information in a legible format:

	1.	student’s name

	2.	practitioner’s name

	3.	date

	4.	pharmacy name and telephone

	5.	name of medication

	6.	prescribed dosage and frequency

	7.	special handling and storage directions

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

E.	Medication that is brought to the office will be properly secured. Medication may be conveyed to school directly by the parent or transported by transportation personnel (bus driver and/or bus aide) at parental request. This should be arranged in advance. Two to four (2-4) weeks’ supply of medication is recommended. Medication MAY NOT be sent to school in the student's lunch box, pocket, or other means on or about his/her person. An exception to this would be prescriptions for emergency medications.

Nonprescription Drug Products

In those circumstances where a student must take a Nonprescription Drug Product during the school day, the following guidelines are to be observed:

A.	The Nonprescription Drug Product Request and Authorization Form 5330 F1a must be filed with the school principal before the student will be allowed to begin taking any medication during school hours.

B.	For each nonprescription drug product, the container shall be the original manufacturer’s package and the package must list in a legible format the ingredients and recommended therapeutic dose.

	The parents request to administer a nonprescription drug product shall contain the following information:

	1.	student's name

	2.	date

	3.	name of medication

	4.	dosage and frequency

	5.	special handling and storage directions

General Procedures

A Medications Administration Daily Log (Form 5330 F2) recording the administration of each prescribed medication and nonprescription drug product shall be maintained. The log will note the personnel giving the medication, the date, the exact dosage administered, and the time of day. The log will include each error in the administration of the medication and each missed administration of the medication. This log will be maintained along with the practitioner's written request and the parent's written release.


B.	Written documentation of the Department of Public Instruction approved training provided for each person authorized to administer a prescribed medication or treatment will show:

	1.	what training was given;

	2.	the trainer’s name and professional status:

	3.	when the training was given;

	4.	the duration of the training.

C.	Any unused medication unclaimed by the parent will be destroyed by administrative personnel when a prescription is no longer to be administered or within seven (7) days after the end of a school year.

D.	The staff member administering the medication shall make a reasonable effort to see that the student takes the medication properly.

E.	If a student does not take the medication at the proper time, the staff member responsible for administering the medication shall take appropriate steps 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.

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

G.	A medication error includes any failure to administer medication as prescribed for a particular student, including failure to administer the medication within appropriate time frames, in the correct dosage, in accordance with accepted practice, and to the correct student. In the event of a medication error, the school nurse shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If there is a question of potential harm to the student, the nurse shall also notify the student's practitioner.

	The school nurse shall document medication errors on the Medications Log Form 5330 F2. The school nurse shall review reports of medication errors and provide consultation to ensure appropriate medication administration in the future.


H.	Student with Severe Asthmatic Symptoms

	Use of Metered Dose or Dry Powder Inhalers

	Asthmatic students may, while in school, at a school-sponsored activity, or under the supervision of a school authority, possess and use a metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler when the following three (3) conditions are met.

	1.	The student is required to carry an inhaler for use prior to physical activity to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms or for use to alleviate asthmatic symptoms, and

	2.	the completed Parent Consent form for a minor student has been submitted to the principal, and

	3.	the practitioner's order for medication administration has been submitted to the principal authorizing the student to possess and use an inhaler.

	Asthmatic students who are not required to carry an inhaler shall follow the guidelines which apply to all other prescription medications and their administration.

I.	Students with Severe Allergic Reactions

	Use of Epi-pen

	Students who may suffer from severe allergic reactions may, while in school, at a school-sponsored activity, or under the supervision of a school authority, possess and use an epi-pen when three (3) conditions are met.

	1.	The student is required to carry the epi-pen for use to prevent the onset of an allergic reaction, and

	2.	the completed Parent Consent form for a minor student has been submitted to the principal, and


		3.	the practitioner's order for medication administration has been submitted to the principal authorizing the student to possess and use the epi-pen.

	Students who may suffer from severe allergic reactions but are not required to carry an epi-pen shall follow the guidelines which apply to all other prescription medications and their administration.

J.	School personnel are not required to administer a nonprescription drug product or prescription drug by means other than ingestion. However, personnel designated to administer medications may indicate a willingness to provide medications, in an emergency or special situation, by means other than ingestion. This is done only under the direction and delegation of the school nurse. The school nurse shall provide instruction and written protocols, as well as documentation that both were provided.

K.	Dispensing of nonauthorized, nonprescription drug products by District employees to students served by the District is prohibited. Where investigation confirms such conduct, prompt corrective action shall be taken, up to and including dismissal.

L.	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 for performance-enhancing purposes.

School personnel trained to administer medications shall keep a copy of the Administration of Medication Policy and Guidelines in an accessible spot for quick reference and have the right to refuse to administer medication to students when the required authorization forms and signatures have not been completed.