Medication at School
It is recommended that student medication is administered at home by parents or guardians whenever possible. Medication prescribed for children and adolescents enrolled in school may be administered at school when it is not feasible for the medication to be managed at home by the child's parent or guardian.
All student medication is stored and administered through the school clinic except when a student meets the criteria for self-administration of life-saving emergency asthma or anaphylaxis medicine, or for diabetes self-management.
A parent or guardian bringing medication to school to administer for their child will be asked to do so in the school clinic. In order to maintain student safety, the school nurse or other school personnel may ask the parent or guardian the name of the medication being administered.
A parent, guardian, or other adult is expected to deliver student medication directly to the school nurse in the original container or prescription labeled container. if it is an over-the-counter medication, it must be in a new, unopened bottle. Medicine cannot be sent to school on the bus or carried into the school by the student. Medications sent to school with a student will not be given and students could face disciplinary action.
When medication is discontinued, stopped or expired, or when a student with medication in the clinic withdraws from a campus, a parent or guardian must pick up the medication from the school clinic. Medication not picked up before the last day of the regular school calendar year is discarded according to the most current FDA guidelines for medication disposal.
Criteria for Administration at School
The Parent or Guardian bringing the medication to school should allow time to complete any necessary paperwork. A Medication Order form must be submitted for medication administration at school.
If the medication is prescribed by a physician, a doctor’s order and permission to release information are needed. The Medication Order form must be completed by the physician and parents.
If the medication is an over-the-counter medication, a parent note and OTC order form are needed.
Medications, such as antibiotics, that are to be administered 3 times a day should be given at home on the following schedule: when the child gets up; when the child gets home from school; and when the child goes to bed.
Student medication and supplies necessary for administration at school are provided by a student's parent or guardian with the exception of emergency stock epinephrine auto-injectors. It is highly recommended that any student with a known allergy and anaphylaxis have their own prescribed epinephrine auto-injector at school.
A Medication Order form must be submitted annually and on file for each medication considered for administration at school, including insulin. A physical form is also available from your school nurse and includes a signature line for the student's physician to sign for prescription medication.
Student Self-Administration of Asthma or Anaphylaxis Emergency Medicine
Students may possess and self-administer prescription asthma or anaphylaxis medication during school and school-related activities when the following criteria are met:
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The prescription label must be intact and legible;
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The student has demonstrated to their healthcare provider and school nurse that they can competently self-administer their prescription medication, including any device required to administer the medication as indicated by:
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Written authorization from the physician or other licensed healthcare provider
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Self-administration is in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student's physician or other licensed healthcare provider;
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The parent/legal guardian provides the school with the following:
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Written authorization signed by the parent for the student to self-administer the prescription medicine while on school property and at school-related or school- sponsored activities and events.
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A written statement by the physician or other licensed healthcare provider, signed by the physician or other licensed healthcare provider, that states:
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The student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescription medicine;
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The name and purpose of the medicine;
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The prescribed dosage for the medicine;
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The times at which or circumstances under which the medicine may be administered;
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The period of time for which the medicine is prescribed.
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The medication with the prescription label must be kept in the student's possession throughout the school day and during any school-related activities.
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A student may choose not to carry the medicine on their person and may deliver the medicine for safekeeping in the school clinic.
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Students having authorization to carry and self-administer asthma medication are encouraged to notify the school nurse when they experience little or no relief of symptoms, when they use their medicine more than once in a school day, or when they use their medicine more than three times in one week.
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Students having authorization to carry and self-administer anaphylaxis medicine during the school day must notify staff or adult volunteer of any allergic reaction leading to the need for self-administration. Emergency Medical Services (911) is activated whenever anaphylaxis is suspected and whenever emergency epinephrine is administered during school hours or school-sponsored event or activity.
Should a student be found unable to administer their asthma or anaphylaxis emergency medicine due to limited developmental ability or physical strength, the parent/guardian and the physician or other licensed healthcare provider will be notified and an alternate emergency action plan shall be implemented.
Student Diabetes Self-Management
Students diagnosed with Type I diabetes may carry their diabetes supplies during the school day and at school sponsored events when self-management is afforded by the student’s diabetes management plan and their individualized healthcare plan.
The individualized healthcare plan is developed by the school nurse in collaboration with the student, the parent, and healthcare provider.
Students meeting the criteria who choose to self-manage at school are encouraged to seek assistance from the school nurse for:
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Abnormal blood glucose;
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Abnormal urine ketone levels; and,
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Any health concerns related to diabetes self-management.