The school nurse is responsible for establishing policy and procedures for a safe system of administering medication on the local campuses.
1.
Safety
of the entire student population is the primary concern of medication
administration. If, in the professional
judgement of the nurse, there is a question as to the safety of a medication or
a dose of medication, the nurse has the responsibility to seek clarification
and refuse to administer the medication until and unless the nurse is satisfied
administration of the medication constitutes safe practice and is in the best
interest of the student.
2.
All
medication must be brought to the school clinic or office by an adult and
checked in by the nurse/office staff.
No medication should be brought on the bus. Students should never transport controlled substances.
1.
Controlled
substances brought to school should be counted in the presence of the
parent/responsible adult. The number is
to be documented on the students Medication Administration Record (MAR) and
signed by both the school employee and the responsible adult.
2.
IF/When
there is NO alternative to medication being transported on the bus it should be
handed to the driver by the responsible adult, along with a note stating the
quantity of medication delivered.
If/when discrepancies are found upon arrival at school the
parent/guardian will be called for clarification. (Bus drivers should not be expected to count medication and
should not be held responsible for discrepancies. However, is there is a discrepancy in the medication another
means of transporting the medication to school will be found.)
3.
Parents
are encouraged to schedule medication administration in such a manner as to
keep the number of medications brought to school to a minimum. The goal is to prevent students missing
doses due to forgetting medication at school and ensuring proper blood levels
of antibiotics by spacing equally throughout the day whenever possible.
§
If
the medication is to be given 3 times daily it should usually be given before
school, after school, and at bedtime.
§
If
the medication is to be given 4 times daily that medication should be brought
to school and given at noon or lunchtime.
§
Only
the amount of medication to be given at school should be sent. This is best accomplished by requesting a 2nd
School bottle from the pharmacist.
4.
All
prescription medication to be administered by Boles ISD personnel must be:
1.
In
the original container labeled with:
1.
Student’s
name
2.
Name
of medication
3.
Directions
for administration (dosage, frequency, duration, route of administration)
4.
Date
the prescription was dispensed (must be within the year)
5.
Prescribing
practitioners name and designation
6.
Name
and address of pharmacy
2.
Accompanied
by a parent/guardian written request of administration, which does not conflict
with instructions on the medication label or medical practice guidelines.
3.
Accompanied
by a doctor’s written order when medication is to be given beyond an initial
10-day period. (Medication may be given
for up to 10 days before doctor’s order is required to be on file.
4.
A
parent/guardian written request and doctor statement must accompany any change
in the medication during the school year; prescription bottle with the new
dosage must be provided as soon as possible.
5.
All
non-prescription (OTC) medication must be:
B.
Accompanied
by a parent/guardian written/dated request for administration which is not in
conflict with label instructions per age and or size of student.
C.
A
medical licensed medical practitioner’s (MD/OD/PA/NP) order when OTC medication
needs to be given beyond a 10 day time span (daily or as needed.)
D.
OTC
medication package directions must be followed regarding dosage, interval
between doses, age limitations, and cautions regarding need to consult your
doctor if the mediation is needed beyond a brief span of time, usually 3
consecutive days.