Medications

There may be times when your student needs to receive medication during school hours. Whether being asked to administer prescription or non-prescription medication, the school nurse and other designated staff must strictly adhere to the law and to school district policy/procedures. 

Why is it necessary to be so strict??  The answer is simple--your student's safety is a priority!  Serious harm can be done if medication is not taken correctly and/or if medication is shared between students. 

Please review the detailed Request to Administer Medication and Medication Procedures** (Spanish form) documents immediately below prior to completing any permission form or sending in any medication. Forms must be completed/signed and medication brought in accordance with policy before the nurse or designated staff will accept any medication.  Physician orders that have been that have been signed by the provider and the parent may be substituted for the RRISD form as long as all criteria for medication administration are met.  Medication forms must be completed each school year.


MEDICATION PROCEDURES
Prescription and over the counter medication may be administered at school if the following apply:
1. Approved authorization forms are on file for medication to be administered. A new completed form is required each school year.
2. Medication must be provided by the parent or guardian. No medication is provided by the school except for Benadryl, naloxone for suspected opioid overdose, and/or epinephrine in case of a possible anaphylactic reaction.
3. Medication must be kept in the school clinic or in a locked cabinet in a self-contained classroom, and administered by the school nurse, health assistant, or trained school employee.
4. No medication will be sent home with a student. Parents/Guardians must pick up all medications whether prescription or over-the-counter.
5. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container with the label intact and non-expired. Dispensing directions the label regarding age, dose, and frequency will be strictly adhered to. Requests to alter the standard dosage or frequency on over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by a physician’s written note and signature.
6. Prescription medication must be in the original container and non-expired. All prescription medications must be properly labeled in a prescription bottle/box with the student’s name, medication name, directions for dispensing the drug and written and signed by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. All prescription medications need a physician signature and a parent/guardian signature. This includes daily, as-needed, and short-term medications. Any change in dosing will require a new order accompanied by physician signature and parent/guardian signature. NO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT A PARENT/GUARDIAN AND PHYSICIAN SIGNATURE.
7. Medication (controlled substances) will be counted by the school nurse or the health assistant upon arrival at school and documented as to the number of pills received. Medications must be delivered by the parents/guardians.
8. Medication prescribed or requested to be given three times a day or less will not be given at school unless a specific time of administration during school hours is prescribed by a physician.
9. A student may be allowed to self-administer inhaled asthma medication, an Epi-pen, pancreatic enzymes, or diabetes treatment ONLY if the following conditions have been complied with:a. Written permission from the physician allowing the student to self-medicate or treatb. The nurse has counseled the parent and the student on the school’s inability to monitor the student’shealth condition during the school day while self-medicating or treating.c. The student complies with all campus safety policies.
10. No district employee will administer herbal substances, anabolic steroids or dietary supplements except as provided in RRISD Policy: FFAC (local). Herbal substances or dietary supplements may be administered as prescribed by a physician if it is required by the IEP or Section 504 plan of a student with a disability. Medication must be provided by the student's parent or guardian. Reliable information must be given by the physician regarding the safe use of the product including side effects, toxicity, drug interactions and adverse effects.***In accordance with the Nurse Practice Act; Texas Administrative Code, Section 217.11, the Registered Nurse and the Licensed Vocational Nurse have the responsibility and authority to refuse to administer medications that, in the nurse’s judgment, are contra-indicated for administration to the student.***

Asthma/Anaphylaxis/Seizures

You do not need to fill-out the "Request to Administer Medication" form for emergency medications (e.g. inhalers, Epi-pens, Diastat). Instead, we need to have the applicable documents completed and signed: 

Please click on the "Emergency Medications"  tab at the top of the page for sample action plans and further information, including criteria for students who seek to self-carry emergency medication.

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No es necesario que complete el formulario "Solicitud de administración de medicamentos" para medicamentos de emergencia (por ejemplo, inhaladores, Epi-pens, Diastat). En cambio, necesitamos tener los documentos aplicables completados y firmados:

Haga clic en la pestaña "Medicamentos de emergencia" en la parte superior de la página para ver ejemplos de planes de acción e información adicional, incluidos los criterios para los estudiantes que buscan llevar medicamentos de emergencia.