ADMINISTERING MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

Background

The administration of medication to a school-aged child is primarily the responsibility of the child’s parent.  The District encourages the parent to work with the physician in timing the administration of medication outside the school day.

The District understands that from time to time a student may have or may acquire a medical condition that requires medication for one month or longer or emergency administration of a prescribed medication during the school day.  The purpose of this Administrative Procedure is to provide staff, parents, and the health community with the necessary direction and information for administering prescribed medication to students at school.

The District acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe school environment for all students and staff and recognizes that some students require prescribed medication during the school day.  The District also recognizes that the administering of medication, under medical advisement, is the assigned duty of a particular support person and exercised under carefully controlled circumstances.

Definitions

Medication refers to medication prescribed by a physician.

Physician is defined as a medical doctor licensed to practice by the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Procedures

1. The District shall maintain current administrative procedures and practices governing the administering of prescribed medication for one month or longer to students.
2. The Principal shall ensure that specific documented medical authorization, instructions and/or treatment procedures are obtained in accordance with this Administrative Procedure prior to administering medication.
3. Staff may only administer student medication that has been prescribed by a physician in accordance with specific documented medical authorization, instructions and/or treatment procedures.
4. Staff shall not administer non-prescribed medication unless authorized by a medical physician.
5. Protocol for Administering Medication to students
   1. Students who have an identified, continuing health problem and:
      1. Need to take medication for one month or longer while at school, and
      2. Need assistance or supervision in taking their medication, or
      3. May need emergency medication,
      Shall have their medication administered in accordance with a health care plan developed by the school based team (SBT), including the Principal or Vice-Principal and as appropriate in consultation with the public health nurse. The plan will be communicated to other personnel deemed appropriate by the SBT.
   2. A District record sheet is to be maintained in the office.  This sheet must indicate the date and time of each administration, verified by the signature of the administering person.
   3. The Principal shall ensure that emergency medications are taken on all field trips for students who may require medication in an emergency.
   4. Any delegation of authority and responsibility to a member of the teaching or non-teaching staff for the provision of medication must be clearly recorded and filed with the medication administration card. Such recording must include the signature of the staff member indicating voluntary acceptance of the responsibility, as well as the signature of the parent indicating the knowledge and approval of the specific person who has volunteered.
6. Storage of medication
   1. Medication is to be stored in a safe, marked location accessible to appropriate personnel.The security for storage of medication is left to the discretion of the Principal.
   2. It is desirable that no more than one month’s supply of medication is kept at the school.
7. Procedure Requirements for Health Care Plan (for students requiring medication)
   1. The Principal shall receive from the student’s parent, a completed Medication Administration Card (Form 316-1) at school.
      1. This form includes parental consent, physician’s orders and other significant data.
      2. Prescribed medication must be provided, by the parent, in the original container and clearly labeled with:
         1. The child’s name
         2. Medication name and instructions
         3. Medication dosage
         4. Medication expiry date
   2. After consultation with the SBT, the Principal shall note on the form (Form 316-1), the name of any staff member who has been assigned to administer the medication. The information on the form must be completed and include:
      1. Signature of the designated staff member(s)
      2. Signature of the parent acknowledging and approving the plan
      3. Signature of the prescribing physician.
   3. Prominent notation of the medical request form shall be made on the student’s “Permanent School Record Card” (Medical Alert).
   4. As deemed required by public health, some emergency treatment using injections may be done by staff who have been appropriately trained.
   5. A new Medication Administration Card (Form 316-1) shall be completed before September of each year or at any time that a dosage or change in medication has been prescribed. The Principal will ensure that all previous forms are destroyed to avoid confusion.
   6. Early in the school year, parents shall be informed that if their child(ren) require(s) prescribed medication to be administered at school, the District Medication Administration Card (Form 316-1) form is available from the school and must be completed and returned to the Principal.