Field Trip Health Paperwork

The Board of Education has authorized the Superintendent of Schools to develop the following procedures concerning the administration of medications to students within the school system by a licensed nurse or, in the absence of a nurse, by qualified personnel for schools. These administrative regulations have been developed with the advice and approval of the school medical director.

Connecticut State Regulations require an authorized prescriber's written order and parent or guardian's authorization for a nurse to administer medications, or in her/his absence, the principal, teacher or qualified personnel. Prescription medications must be in pharmacy-prepared containers and labeled with the name of the student, name of drug, strength, dosage, frequency, authorized prescriber's name and date of original prescription. Over the counter medications must have the name of drug, strength, dosage, frequency, and match the exact physician authorization and be submitted in new, unopened packages. NO medications will be accepted in any other format. Only a three-month supply of medication may be stored in the school.

Nothing in these regulations prohibits parents or guardians from administering medication to their own children on school grounds.

Self-Administration of Medications by Students who have a verified chronic medical condition and are deemed capable to self-administer prescribed emergency medications will be permitted to self-administer such medication, provided they adhere to the following rules.

Documentation for administering medication at school includes:

• A written physician medication authorization form including the recommendation for self-administration signed by the authorized prescriber.

• The signed authorization of the parent/guardian for the eligible student to self-administer medication.

• An assessment by the school nurse that the student is competent to self-administer in the school setting.

• In the case of inhalers for asthma and cartridge injectors for medically diagnosed allergies, students may retain possession of inhalers or cartridge injectors at all times while attending school and self-administer such medication with only the written authorization of an authorized prescriber and written authorization from a student’s parent or guardian.

Over The Counter Medications 

Regional District #4 medication policy is in compliance with The CT State Department of Education statute 10-212a-1 - 10-212a-10.  The law is very specific about medication in a school setting which includes any school sponsored event.  This law is meant to be restrictive for the safety of all students.  The law defines medication as "any medicinal preparation including over-the-counter, prescription and controlled drugs". 

When students travel on school sponsored field trips the state law requires VRHS to handle medications the same way as in a school setting.  This always creates confusion because many medications have been cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter purchase without a prescription.  This is a safety measure protecting your student as well as others from being given or giving out medications that they possess and don’t know or understand the potential ramifications of ingestion.   The dangers of over the counter medications are real and should be taken very seriously and not dismissed because we all can purchase these items at our local pharmacies. 

  For example:  Students possess Tylenol or Advil and don’t differentiate that there is a significant difference between the two pain relievers.  In this scenario, one friend gives another friend some Advil because this friend has a headache. Unbeknownst to the friend, the other friend has a bleeding disorder and the Advil taken for their headache is now thinning their blood significantly, later the friends are jumping on the bed and the friend with the bleeding disorder falls and hits their head, the friend ends up not being able to clot properly because of the Advil taken and ends up in a life threatening situation.

FORMS:

1.  The Medication Authorization Form  is the state form that a physician can use to give permission to use medication in a school setting.  

2.  Your own personal physician may choose to use their own office medication administration form which will be accepted with parent permission.

POINTS OF CLARIFICATION:

1. If you have a current physician form on file with the health office for a medication, you do not need to get another one (with the exception of a controlled substance) because this covers your student in the school setting and at school sponsored events.  (Epipen/Inhaler etc.) These are required at the beginning of the school year and are only good for one year at a time.

2. If you obtain medication authorizations for over the counter items and/or prescriptions and are cleared by physician and parent to self carry and self administer your student will be responsible and in custody of the approved medications.

3. VRHS personnel are NOT authorized to administer PRN or as needed medications. The physician order must be a scheduled administration time in order to be delegated to district staff.

4. Controlled substances are the only exception and are NOT permitted to be with a student regardless of physician and parent permission for self carry/administration.  Controlled substances will be in the custody of and administered by school personnel. 

5. Vitamins, supplements, and cough drops require physician permission.

6. All medications must be in the original prescription bottles with ONLY the amount required for administration on the trip, over the counter medications MUST match the exact physician authorization and be submitted in new, unopened packages. NO medications will be accepted in any other format.

For any questions please contact Sally Riggio, RN 860-526-5328 x2565 or email sriggio@reg4.k12.ct.us.