Policy 3416P

Each school principal shall authorize, at the minimum, two staff members to administer prescribed or over-the-counter  medication.  These designated staff members will  receive RN delegation prior to the opening of school each year.

For the purposes of this procedure, “medication” means oral medication, topical medication, eye or ear drops and nasal spray.  This definition does not include over-the-counter topical sunscreen products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (see Sunscreen section below).   Oral medications are administered by mouth either by swallowing or inhaling and may include administration by mask if the mask covers the mouth or mouth and nose.

Medication may be dispensed to students on a scheduled basis upon written request from a parent with a written authorization by a licensed health professional (LHP) prescribing within the scope of their prescriptive authority. The written authorization must be accompanied by dosage instructions from the LHP. Requests shall be valid for not more than the current school year. The prescribed or over-the-counter medication must be properly labeled and be contained in the original container.

The staff member administering medication will:

1. Collect , count and sign in the medication in original container directly from the parent/guardian (students should not transport medication to school), along with a signed authorization and instructions  from the LHP
2. Store the medication (not more than a twenty (20) day supply) in a locked, substantially constructed cabinet or limited access area;
3. Maintain a daily record which indicates that the medication was dispensed.
4. Provide for supervision by a physician or registered nurse.
5. A copy of this policy shall be provided to the parent/guardian upon request for administration of medication.

Prescribed and over the counter oral or topical medications, eye drops or ear drops  may only be administered by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or an authorized staff member.

Nasal sprays containing legend (prescription) drugs or controlled substances may only be administered by a school nurse or, if a school nurse is not present on school premises, an authorized school employee, or a parent-designated adult with training as required by RCW 28A.210.260.

No prescribed medication shall be administered by injection by staff except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering condition. The parent shall submit a written statement which grants a staff member the authority to act according to the specific written orders and supporting directions provided by a licensed health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority (e.g., medication administered to counteract a reaction to a bee sting). Such medication shall be administered by staff trained by the supervising registered nurse to administer such an injection.

Written orders for emergency medication, signed and dated, from the licensed health professional will:

1. State that the student suffers from an allergy which may result in an anaphylactic reaction;
2. Identify the drug, the mode of administration and the dose. Epinephrine administered by inhalation, rather than injection, may be a treatment option. This decision must be made by the licensed health professional prescribing within his or her prescriptive authority;
3. Indicate when the injection will be administered based on anticipated symptoms or time lapse from exposure to the allergen;
4. Recommend follow-up after administration, which may include care of the stinger, need for a tourniquet, administration of additional medications, transport to hospital; and
5. Specify how to report to the health professional and any record keeping recommendations.

If a health professional and a student’s parent request that a student be permitted to carry his/or her own medication and/or be permitted to self-administer the medication, the principal may grant permission after consulting with the school nurse. The process for requesting and providing instructions shall be the same as established for oral medications. The principal and nurse shall take into account the age, maturity and capability of the student, the nature of the medication, the circumstances under which the student will or may have to self-administer the medication and other issues relevant in the specific case before authorizing a student to carry and/or self-administer medication at school. Except in the case of multi-dose devices (like asthma inhalers), students shall only carry one day’s supply of medication at a time. Violations of any conditions placed on the student permitted to carry and/or self-administer his or her own medication may result in termination of that permission, as well as the imposition of discipline when appropriate.

Medications for Emergency Closures

Parents/guardians are asked to identify medications that students normally take only at home where missing doses of the medication would pose a serious health risk for the student or others. In preparation for potential school closures where students are kept on site, it is recommended that the parent/guardian provide up to a three-day supply of these medications and the necessary parent/guardian and LHP authorization and instructions for these medications. These situations will be identified and addressed on an individual basis by the school nurse.

Sunscreen

Over-the-counter topical sunscreen products may be possessed and used by students without a written prescription or note from a licensed health care provider, if the following conditions are met:

1. The product is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter sunscreen product; and
2. If possessed by a student, the product is provided to the student by their parent or guardian.

Violations of any conditions placed on the student permitted to carry and/or self-administer his or her own sunscreen products may result in confiscation and termination of that permission, as well as the imposition of discipline when appropriate.

School staff may assist students in application of sunscreen products in certain circumstances and in the presence of another staff member. The appropriate staff member will take into account the age, maturity, and capability of the student, the need for the application of the sunscreen, and other issues relevant in the specific case, before assisting students in application of sunscreen products at school or during school-sponsored events. However, staff members are not required to assist students in applying sunscreen.

The District may provide education to students regarding sun safety guidelines.

(The following procedures are specific to parent-designated adult care of students with epilepsy):

Parent-Designated Adult Care of Students with Epilepsy

Parents of students with epilepsy may designate an adult to provide care for their student consistent with the student’s individual health care plan. At parent request, school district employees may volunteer to be a parent-designated adult (PDA) under this policy, but they will not be required to participate. Parent-designated adults who are school employees will file a voluntary, written, current and unexpired letter of intent stating their willingness to be a parent-designated adult. Parent-designated adults who are school employees are required to receive training in caring for students with epilepsy from the school nurse. Parent-designated adults will receive additional training from a parent-selected health care professional or expert in epileptic care to provide the care (including medication administration) requested by the parent.

Parent-designated adults who are not school employees are required to show evidence of comparable training, and meet school district requirements for volunteers. Parent-designated adults will receive additional training from a parent-selected health care professional or expert in epileptic care to provide the care requested by the parent. The district is not responsible for the supervision of procedures authorized by the parents and carried out by the parent-designated adult.

End of School Year Procedure

Two weeks prior to the end of the year:

1.  Notify parent/guardians to pick up any medication by noon the last day of school.
2. Medications that have not been picked up on the last day of school shall be counted and documented by the school nurse and one other witness.  The medication shall then be destroyed.  Destruction information shall be documented on the Medication Authorization Form.

 

Date: February 26^th, 2013; Revised January 22, 2019