Medication Policy

Nevada R-5 Schools Medication Policy

Our medication policy helps to ensure the safe delivery of medicine to your student while in the school setting:

If your student requires prescription medication to be given at school, we MUST have a medication authorization form signed by both the physician and you, the parent! Check with your school or health office to obtain the form.

Please remember that students in grades K-8 are not permitted to transport medication to school.

Medication must be brought to school in a current pharmacy labeled bottle or in its original container.

Notify your students school nurse if there are dosage or medication changes.

Morning (A.M.) medications should be given at home so that your student is ready to learn and participate in their education when they arrive at school.

All students will receive the revised Student Health Information Form. This form is extremely important to have on file in the nurses' offices in order for us to care for your student in an emergency. It is necessary to update this form every year even though your student's health status may not have changed. Please complete the front and back of the form and return it to your school nurse or teacher. Over the counter (OTC) medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Tums, will NOT be given without this form signed and returned to the school nurse.

Medication Guidelines

In an effort to increase health awareness and to send the correct message to students about drug usage, the following procedure has been established.

It is generally recognized that some students may require medication for chronic and short-term conditions to enable them to participate in their education. Whenever possible, medication should be taken when the student is not in school (i.e., before or after school). If a student is required to take medication during school hours, the student’s parent/guardian must delegate authority to school personnel to carry out this task. The nurse or trained staff will administer and document the medication in compliance with the following procedure.

ALL Medication (Prescription and Non-Prescription)

1. The first dose of any new medication will not knowingly be given by school personnel due to the potential for an adverse reaction occurring.

2. Medications will be secured in a locked location to prevent misuse or accidental ingestion.

3. No medication will be kept in the health office unless it meets guidelines for dispensing medication.

4. Before a medication will be administered at school, the student’s parent/guardian must complete and sign a Medication Administration Record (MAR). This form is available in all district health offices and on the district website. Once completed, the MAR will be used for the current school year. Any change in medication dosage, route or time given requires the completion of a new MAR. A current pharmacy label is accepted in lieu of a health care provider’s signature on the MAR, as long as the instructions on the pharmacy label match the requested information on the MAR. In the case of over the counter (OTC) medication, a health care provider signature is required on the medication form. A note from the prescribing physician/nurse practitioner with detailed instructions outlining the medication administration is also acceptable and can be attached to the student’s MAR. Completion of a MAR is not required to give Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Tums, as long as the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed the Health Information form. In the absence of a completed and signed Health Information form, verbal permission will not be taken from a parent/guardian to administer any OTC product at school. Guidelines for administration of Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Tums can be found on the health services’ standing orders, renewable annually by the consulting school physician.

5. The school district retains the right to reject a request for the administration of medication at school. The final decision to administer medication will be based on the professional judgment of the school nurse.

6. The school will maintain a medication log noting the student’s name, name of medication, dose, time to be administered, date of administration, initials and signature of person administering the medication. The rationale for giving any OTC medication will be documented in the student’s health information.

7. The MAR will be kept on file with the student’s health record at the end of the school year.

8. A healthcare provider may recommend that a student assume responsibility for their own medication as a part of their self-care (i.e., rescue inhaler, EpiPen or other such life-saving medication). See School Board Policy JHCD for necessary criteria for a student to self-administer medication.

9. The parent/guardian is responsible for informing the school nurse of any change in the student’s health or a change in medication and having the appropriate forms signed at school.

10. In the absence of the school nurse, a designated trained staff member can administer medication to the student.

11. In the event of a medication error at school, the student’s parent/guardian, building administrator and health services coordinator will be notified immediately. If warranted, the parent/guardian may be advised to contact the prescribing provider for further recommendation. School staff will initiate 911 if the student exhibits behavior that requires emergency assistance. The Poison Control Center may also be contacted for further instruction. A Medication Error Report Form will be completed by the staff member who made the error. This form will be reviewed with the staff member by the health services coordinator and corrective action will be noted.

12. If a medication is changed or discontinued, or there is medication left at the end of the school year, every attempt will be made to return the medication to the parent/guardian. Unused medication must be picked up by the parent/guardian or other designated adult within one week after sending notification of such. High school students may take discontinued or unused medication home at the agreement/approval of the student’s parent/guardian. Medication that is not picked up will be disposed of by the school nurse in accordance with current procedures.

13. The school nurse will count prescription and OTC medications designated for individual students on a daily basis and document on the Daily Medication Count Form.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION:

1. Medication must be in the most current pharmacy labeled container with the following information on it: student name, name of medication, dosage, route and frequency of administration, date prescription was filled, prescribing provider, pharmacy, prescription number and any administration or storage instructions. All pre-k through 8^th grade students must have their medication transported by an adult. Ninth through 12^th grade students may transport their medication, with parent knowledge/approval and understanding that the medication is to be taken directly to the health office.

2. Only one month’s supply of medication will be kept at school, unless previous arrangements have been made with the school nurse

3. Whenever possible, the student will be encouraged to take responsibility for going to the health office at the proper time to take their medication. The nurse or trained personnel will take reasonable measures to ensure each student receives their scheduled medication. Medications may generally be given up to one hour before and no later than one hour after the prescribed time. A parent/guardian should be advised if there is a concern regarding the time a medication is to be administered and adjust accordingly.

4. Injectable medications will be administered by the nurse, unless written permission is received from the health care provider and parent that a student may self-administer. The student must demonstrate proper technique to the school nurse. Exceptions to this are staff trained in the use of an EpiPen, glucagon, or other such medication.

NON-PRESCRITION MEDICATION:

1. Standing orders for stock OTC medications Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Tums are reviewed and signed annually by the consulting school physician

2. Non-prescription medication not included in the standing orders must have health care provider approval with guidelines included on the MAR or in a separate order provided by the parent/guardian. A parent/guardian must complete and sign the MAR and supply the medication in the manufacturer’s original labeled container with the student’s name written on it. A medication will not be given at school if the proper medical documentation is not provided.

3. Only one dose of school stock OTC medication will be given per day. If symptoms are not relieved with one dose of medication, the student’s parent/guardian will be notified.

4. School personnel will document all information regarding the administration of OTC medication

5. School personnel may reject a request to administer medication if it is judged inappropriate or measures in this procedure are not followed

EMERGENCY MEDICATION:

The requirements allowing a trained staff member to administer agents used in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, an asthma episode or an opioid overdose include:

1. Following school board policy pertaining to the administration of these emergency medications

2. Following standing orders and protocols authorized by the consulting school physician and reviewed annually

Non-FDA sanctioned requests

Medications not sanctioned by the FDA with guidelines for dosage, use, etc., or those not approved by the federal government will not be given at school. See School Board Policy JHCD for more information.

MEDICATION DISPOSAL:

1. Medication will be disposed of within one week following discontinuation of the medication or one week past the last day of the current school year

2. The nurse will have at least one witness when a medication is discarded

3. Medications will be disposed of by using one of the following methods:

a. Medication Disposal System (i.e., Mallinckrodt)

b. Cat Litter Method:

1. Crush Medication

2. Place in empty medicine bottle

3. Dissolve in water

4. Absorb with cat litter

5. Seal bottle with tape

6. Discard in trash

c. Nevada Police Department medication disposal drop off box

4. Document on Medication Disposal Worksheet and/or Request for Disposal of Medication form

Related Materials:

Medication Administration in Missouri Schools: Guidelines for Developing Training and Practice. Found at: https://health.mo.gov/living/families/schoolhealth/pdf/MedicationManual.pdf

Nevada R-5 School Board Policy JHCD