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3416 (P) - Medication at School

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE No. 3416

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

Each school principal shall authorize two (2) staff members to administer prescribed or non-prescribed medication. These designated staff members will receive RN delegation prior to the opening of school each year.

For 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 by 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 authorization from a parent/guardian with a written request by a licensed health professional prescribing within the scope of their prescriptive authority. If the medication is to be administered more than fifteen (15) consecutive days, the written request must be accompanied by written instructions from a licensed health professional. Requests will be valid for not more than the current school year. The prescribed or non-prescribed medication must be properly labeled and be contained in the original container. The dispenser of prescribed or non-prescribed oral medication will:

A. Collect the medication directly from the parent/guardian (students should not transport medication to school), collect an authorization form properly signed by the parent/guardian and by the prescribing health professional and collect instructions from the prescribing health professional if the oral medication is to be administered for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days;

B. Store the prescription or non-prescribed oral medication (not more than a twenty (20) day supply) in a locked, substantially constructed cabinet;

C. Maintain a daily record which indicates that the prescribed or non-prescribed medication was dispensed;

D. Provide for supervision by a physician or registered nurse.

E. A copy of this policy will be provided to the parent/guardian upon request for administration of medication in the schools.

Prescribed and over-the-counter oral or topical medications, eye drops or ear drops may be administered by a registered nurse, a 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 will be administered by injection by staff except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation. The parent/guardian will 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/her prescriptive authority (e.g., medication administered to counteract a reaction to an insect sting). Such medication will 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 prescribing within his/her prescriptive authority will:

A. State that the student suffers from an allergy which may result in an anaphylactic reaction;

B. 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/her prescriptive authority;

C. Indicate when the injection shall be administered based on anticipated symptoms or time lapse from exposure to the allergen;

D. Recommend follow-up after administration, which would include care of the stinger, need for tourniquet, administration of additional medications, transport to hospital; and

E. Specify how to report to the health professional prescribing within his/her prescriptive authority and any record keeping recommendations.

If a health professional and a student's parent/guardian request that a student be permitted to carry his/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 will 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.

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

A. The product is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter sunscreen product; and

B. If possessed by a student, the product is provided to the student by their parent or guardian.

Students who possess over-the-counter topical sunscreen products that meet the above criteria may carry up to 8 ounces at a time, preferably with the container in a plastic bag.

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.

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 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 health room assistant is not responsible for the supervision of procedures authorized by the parents and carried out by the parent-designated adult.

Revised: February 2019

WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS • 364 South Park St. • Walla Walla, WA 99362 • Phone: 509-527-3000 • Fax: 509.529.7713

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