Medications
Medication Reconciliation
Wait to enter medication in Infinite Campus until medication is received, allows for entering an accurate number of “doses submitted”
Medication reconciliation should be completed weekly (generally, your last working day of the week)
Report medication errors after consulting with your Nurse Coach to problem solve discrepancy.
Medication Administration
The school nurse is responsible for supervising and delegating the administration of all medications in their school building(s). Medication administration can be delegated to the nursing assistant or others in the building as appropriate and within the practice guidelines of the professional registered nurse and MMSD school board policy.
MMSD Medication Administration Guidelines
MSCR/MMSD Medication Collaboration
School nurses request medication orders for both school administration and for MSCR after-school and summer site programs
Off Campus Emergency Medication Check-out Form (Word Doc- open link, then download)
This document may be helpful to keep track of emergency medications taken by staff for students when they are in the community.
WI DPI School Nursing Handbook
Medication Administration at School: What’s needed?
Parent/Guardian Medication/Procedure Consent Form (Spanish), (Hmong) (Arabic)
Prescriber authorization:
Order for Medication Administration ( download fillable PDF), Word doc (download or make a copy to edit)
Medication must come packaged with prescription label that contains the child's name, name of the medication and dosage, time to be given and practitioner's name.
If the child takes medication at home and school, separate containers can be requested from the pharmacy.
Over-the-counter medications have the same requirements for Parent/Guardian consent and Prescriber authorization. OTC medication must come to school in the original manufacturer packaging.
All medications are provided by parents.
Communication with Health Care Providers
Use the cover form below, copied onto school letterhead, when requesting medications by Fax. Fax must come from RN and should include Parent/Guardian Medication/Procedure consent with request.
Fax Cover Form for med admin or procedure orders (Word Doc- open link, then download)
Any phone communication about medications and treatments must be between health care provider and school RN. No information should be shared about school matters, including psycho-social or attendance. If this type of information needs to be discussed, a Release of Information (ROI) needs to be signed by the parent.
Contract for Self Administration of Inhaler and Epinephrine
Middle and High School Students may choose to self-administer an inhaler and/or epinephrine; however, it is recommended that a second inhaler/epinephrine be available in the health office as a back up. Parent consent form and MD order are required per MMSD Board Policy.
The health office door should be locked at the end of the school day.
All non-emergency medications are to be kept in a securely locked cupboard or drawer.
Some medications require refrigeration. Labels will denote this.
Pill containers should be properly covered or stoppered.
Arrange for MMCR staff to have key to health office for access to emergency medications during non-school hours when students are present.
Emergency medications such as glucagon, epi-pens and some asthma medications are to be stored in the health office in an unlocked, easily identifiable location so other staff (including MSCR after school staff) will have access.
Medication should not be sent in school mail.
What do I do now?
Medication Errors include:
omission of a dose
giving medication to the wrong child
giving the wrong medication
giving the wrong dose
giving medication at the wrong time
giving the medication by the wrong route
discrepancy in count
If someone other than the school nurse makes the error, the nurse should be notified as soon as the error is recognized. The nurse is responsible for notifying the parent, physician or others as needed.
The Medication Incident Report Form should be initiated by the person making the error and completed by the nurse. The completed incident report is sent to the Assistant Director of Health Services.
Medication & Health Plan Check In Tool
The Medication & Health Plan/Form Check In tool (optional) can be used to help keep you organized as you receive medications, orders, and other forms for students. This tool was adapted from another school district. Here is an Example.
If preferred, here is a Beginning of the Year Checklist for keeping track of meds, forms, etc. by individual student.
Disposal of Medication
At the end of the school year, or whenever a medication has been discontinued, parents/guardians must be notified (newsletter, phone calls or notes) that they must pick up any remaining medication. Parents should be informed that any medication not picked up by the designated date will be discarded.
Knowledge & Skills Med Admin Training for Staff
Administration of medication in Wisconsin schools is governed by Wisconsin State Statute 118.29. Staff assigned to give medications in schools must complete knowledge training approved by the Department of Public Instruction. In addition, staff need to complete skills training. This policy also includes field trips, athletics, or other school sponsored activities that occur after regular school hours when the school nurse or nursing assistant are not present.
Schools must provide both knowledge and skills training for school personnel who may need to administer medications to students.
Knowledge training is required every four years. This is currently available online using a Department of Public Instruction website.
Skills training is required at least every year and more often if needed. This is provided by the school nurse.
Skills training is not required for medications administered orally.
Skills training is recommended but not required for ear, eye, and topical medications.