• Medication Policy: Including Self Administration of Inhalers and Epi-Pens

    At Chester Upland School District we realize the increasing need for in school dispensing of medications to promote wellness and inclusivity of all students. In keeping with the district's educational effort to encourage precaution and restraint in this important aspect of daily health care the district has adopted the following policy: 

    Delivery and Storage of Medications 

    • All medication shall be brought to the nurse’s office, or the main office if the nurse is in another building, by the parent/guardian or by another adult designated by the parent/guardian. All medication shall be stored in the original pharmacy-labeled container and kept in a locked cabinet designated for storage of medication. Medications that require refrigeration shall be stored and locked in a refrigerator designated only for medications. The district shall not store more than a thirty-day supply of an individual student’s medication.

    • Nonprescription medication must be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with the student’s name. 

    • At the end of the school year all unused medication will be returned to parent, or disposed of. 

    Prescription medication shall be delivered in its original packaging and labeled with:

    1. Name, address, telephone and federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) number of the pharmacy.
       

    2. Student’s name.
       

    3. Directions for use (dosage, frequency and time of administration, route, special instructions).
       

    4. Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber.
       

    5. Prescription serial number.
       

    6. Date originally filled.
       

    7. Name of medication and amount dispensed.
       

    8. Controlled substance statement, if applicable.

    All medication shall be accompanied by a completed Medication Administration Consent (hyperlink to school district permission to administer meds form) and Licensed Prescriber’s Medication Order Form, or other written communication from the licensed prescriber. This form must be presented at the beginning of school year, or at the time a new medication is to be administered.

    Student Self-Administration of Emergency Medications

     Prior to allowing a student to self-administer emergency medication, the district shall require the following:

    1. An order from the licensed prescriber for the medication, including a statement that it is necessary for the student to carry the medication and that the student is capable of self-administration.
       

    2. Written parent/guardian consent.
       

    3. An Individual Health Plan including an Emergency Care Plan.
       

    4. The nurse shall conduct a baseline assessment of the student’s health status.
       

    5. The student shall demonstrate administration skills to the nurse and responsible behavior.

    The nurse shall provide periodic and ongoing assessments of the student’s self-management skills.

     The student shall notify the school nurse immediately following each occurrence of self-administration of medication.

     Students shall demonstrate a cooperative attitude in all aspects of self-administration of medication. Privileges for self-administration of medication will be revoked if school policies regarding self-administration are violated.

     

    Administration of Medication During Field Trips and Other School-Sponsored Activities

     

    The Board directs planning for field trips and other school-sponsored activities to start early in the school year and to include collaboration between administrators, teachers, nurses, appropriate parents/guardians and other designated health officials.[10]

     

    Considerations when planning for administration of medication during field trips and other school-sponsored programs and activities shall be based on the student’s individual needs and may include the following:

    1. Assigning school health staff to be available.
       

    2. Utilizing a licensed person from the school district’s substitute list.
       

    3. Contracting with a credible agency which provides temporary nursing services.
       

    4. Utilizing licensed volunteers via formal agreement that delineates responsibilities of both the school and the individual.
       

    5. Addressing with parent/guardian the possibility of obtaining from the licensed prescriber a temporary order to change the time of the dose.
       

    6. Asking parent/guardian to accompany the child on the field trip, with proper clearances.
       

    7. Arranging for medications to be provided in an original labeled container with only the amount of medication needed.

    8. If at all possible, please discuss with your physician the need to grant permission for the time change of medication dosing so that medications can be administered outside of the time of the field trip.