Date:    October 10, 2006

To:       Principals/Administrators/Teachers

From:   Mary Fisher
             Health Services Supervisor

Re:       Guidelines for Administration of medication to students

Parents are responsible for administering medication to their children.  Medication prescribed daily, twice or three times daily should be administered around school hours.  Teachers and other non-administrative school employees cannot be required to administer medication to students, although they may volunteer to do so.  This should not, however, prohibit any school employee from providing emergency assistance to students.

Parent/guardian may authorize their child to self-administer a medication according to the district’s procedures.  Self-administration of medication may be utilized when a medication is needed at a time when a nurse is not in the building or for students on field trips.  The nurse will prepare one dose of medication, with student’s name, medication, dosage, and time to be given.  The principal, head teacher, or voluntary school personnel will hand the container to the child.

Students may be required to carry medications for use during emergency situations, i.e.:  epinephrine for severe allergic reaction, glucagon for low blood sugar, rescue inhaler for asthma attack, etc.  In these circumstances, the school nurse will be responsible for providing training to school staff, principal, head teacher, or designee regarding administration, monitoring, and follow up, using an appropriate emergency response plan.

Discretionary (non-prescription) medications, including cough drops, eye drops, and antacids, may only be given by the registered nurse following physical examination of the student and written parental consent.  Approved discretionary medications are intended for occasional use only. 

All medication, except for those determined by the child’s physician or licensed prescriber, and in collaboration with the parent and school nurse, required for use in emergency situations, must be stored in a separate locked drawer, cabinet, or medication cart.  When the medication being stored is a controlled substance, the locked cabinet must be affixed securely to the wall.  Medications requiring refrigeration must be kept in a locked container in the refrigerator separate from food products.

Administering medication during school hours and during school-related activities is discouraged unless absolutely necessary for the critical health and well-being of the student.