Medication

Many students must have medication available at School for certain illnesses and conditions.  School personnel cannot administer medication, including pain relievers, without explicit written parental/guardian permission.  A permission form completed by the parent/guardian is required in the event a student must receive medicine at School.  The medicine, in its original container, labeled with the student's name, name of medicine, dose and time to be given, doctor's name (if prescribed) and possible side effects, must be given to the School Nurse together with the signed permission form.

Only medication that is necessary for a child to remain in school will be given during school hours. Whenever possible, the administration of medication to students should take place at home. Medication needing to be administered during the school day is to be brought to the Health Office by the parent. All medicine is to be handled by adults only—at no time may any kind of medicine be handled or administered by a child. Medicine may not be brought into the child’s classroom or given to a classroom guide/faculty member to dispense. Children are not to carry medicine nor should it be placed in lunch boxes, this includes cough drops.

Parents should bring the medication in its original container to the Health Office. Prescription medication should be properly identified with the prescription label from the pharmacy. This will include: child’s name, medication name, directions concerning dosage, route of administration (i.e., oral, topical, etc.) and time and duration medication is to be given. Non-prescription medication must be in the original container with visible directions and labeled with the child’s name. If the medication is to be administered over several days, please have a pharmacist divide the dosage into separate bottles for school and home.

Parent requests for administration of non-prescription medication must be consistent with directions for use on the package. Medicine received in an unlabeled container or plastic bag will not be accepted. A parent bringing medication to be administered by the School Nurse must fill out and sign a medication request form in the Health Office. No medication will be dispensed without this form.

Parents are responsible for bringing all medication to the Health Office and picking up any unused medicine. Any unused medication that is not picked up will be discarded. The School Nurse will keep all medicines in a locked cabinet, drawer or box. In the case of medication requiring refrigeration, the refrigerator will be kept locked or the medication will be in a locked box in the refrigerator. The School Nurse will monitor all medicine expiration dates. The School Nurse will administer at the prescribed time during the school day. Administration of medication will be recorded on a medication log with date, time and the School Nurse’s initials. It will never be permitted to substitute medication from one child’s supply to another even if it is the same medication.

In the event the School Nurse has questions or concerns regarding the administration of medication to a student, he/she will consult with the parent, and the School Nurse will document the process and outcome.