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Littleton Public Schools Regulation |
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Policy Code JLCD-R Policy Name Administering Medications to Students Adoption: January 9, 1997 Revised: June 24, 2010 |
If a student is required to take medication during school hours, the registered nurse (RN) or school personnel delegated by the RN may administer the medication in compliance with this regulation.
Requirements for Health Care Provider’s Written Authorization for Administering Medication
A health care provider’s written authorization for administering oral prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications shall be recorded on an Authorization to Administer Medication Form. The form shall be signed by the health care provider, and by the student’s parent and shall be placed on file at the school. The authorization shall include:
Student’s name, name of medication, dosage, purpose of medication, time of day medication is to be given, anticipated number of days it needs to be given at school, side effects that need to be reported, and specific instructions for administering the medication.
The health care provider shall update this information and reauthorize administration of the medication any time the medication changes, or any other element of the health care provider’s authorization changes. At a minimum, the health care provider’s written authorization must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
Requirements for Parental Requests to Administer Medication
Parents shall bring the medication to the school in the original pharmacy labeled or commercially labeled container. The parental request to administer the medication must include the child’s name, the name of the medication, dosage and amount, and the time it is to be given at school.
Delegation of Medication Administration
Delegation of medication administration is the sole responsibility of the RN. The RN may delegate to appropriate school personnel the authority to administer medications. School personnel involved in medication administration shall complete the state approved training. The RN will assess individual competency and determine whether a person can properly and safely perform the delegated function. Delegation by the school nurse shall be effective for no more than one calendar year or until nursing delegation is withdrawn. Regular supervision of school personnel administering medications to students shall occur as determined by the RN. The delegation of medication administration shall be in accordance with the Colorado Nurse Practice Act.
Requirements for School Staff
No school staff shall administer medications to students except when they have been trained and delegated to do so by an RN. They shall keep records and follow procedures as outlined by an RN. In order for school staff to administer medication to a student, the authorization from the health care provider, and parent written authorization must be consistent on all relevant points, including, but not necessarily limited to, the student’s name, name of medication, dosage, and time of day the medication is to be given. If there is any inconsistent or conflicting information, the medication will not be given until written correction/clarification is obtained from both the parent and health care provider.
School staff shall count and record the quantity of controlled substances (e.g., Ritalin) received from the parent. School staff shall record on a District form or by electronic means each occasion of medication administered to a student and shall also report to the RN and building principal any errors or omissions in administering medications.
Self-Carry and Self-Administration of Medications
According to the Colorado School Children’s Asthma, Food Allergy, and Anaphylaxis Health Management Act (C.R.S. 22-1-119.5), a student may be responsible for self-administration of his/her own emergency medication, such as an inhaler and epinephrine under the following conditions:
1) Permission to Self-Carry/Self-Administer Medication Form that includes parent written authorization and written health care practitioner authorization, which permission/authorization is signed by both the student’s parent and the student’s health care practitioner, and includes the following:
a. The name of the medication, and the purpose, prescribed dosage, frequency, and length of time between doses to be self-administered.
b. That the health care practitioner has prescribed the medication for use by the student during school hours, at school-sponsored activities, and/or while in transit to and from school or school-sponsored activities.
c. That the health care practitioner has instructed the student in the correct and responsible use of the medication.
d. That the student’s parent releases the school, District, any associated entity, and employees, agents, Board members and volunteers of the District, school, or associated entity from liability, except in cases of willful or wanton conduct or disregard of the criteria of the treatment plan.
2) An individual health care plan, if indicated, is on file that addresses carrying and self-administering emergency medication.
3) Based on the assessment of the building principal in consultation with the RN, the student is self-directed and demonstrates the skill level necessary to use the medication.
4) A written agreement among the parent, student, RN and school assigning levels of responsibility for each individual shall be developed.
5) Back-up medications may be required and kept in the health office.
6) The RN shall monitor the self-administration process.
Middle level students may be granted the privilege to self-administer routine medications on a case-by-case basis provided the above criteria are met.
High school students may carry and self-administer one day’s dose of prescription or nonprescription medication.
Any student self-administering medication inappropriately or in violation of this regulation or Board or school policy shall be counseled and the parent or guardian notified. Students may also be subject to discipline, including suspension and/or expulsion. Medications shall be confiscated and self-administration privileges shall be revoked if the student shares medication with others.
Students may not store medication in their lockers unless they have the appropriate documentation and approval by the RN and building principal.
Handling and Storage of Medications
The student’s parent is responsible for delivering the medication to a responsible adult in the health office or other designated school personnel. For students traveling to school by bus, the parent or guardian shall give medication to school staff or bus driver. Students who have been approved to self-carry and self-administer their own medications may transport them to and from school.
Medications administered at school shall be stored in a locked, clean container and kept under conditions as directed by the health care provider’s written authorization.
It is the responsibility of the parent to collect all unused, discontinued, or expired medications within one week of notification by school staff. All medications shall be returned at the end of the school year. The RN is responsible for the disposal of any medications left at school.
Field Trips and School-Sponsored Events
The RN or school personnel delegated to administer medication shall prepare medications for all field trips. Medications shall be packaged for each student and labeled with the name of the student, medication, route, time to be given, and any special instructions. Staff members delegated by the RN to perform this task shall be permitted to administer medications and shall document this action.