Health requirements for enrollment  

For attendance, students need the following:  

 • 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis ((DTaP or DT or Td)  

• 1 dose tetanus booster / Acellular / (Tdap) by grade 7th  

• 4 doses of polio (OPV or IVP)  

• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)  

• 3 doses of hepatitis B (Hep B)  

• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox vaccine), or history of disease  

• 2 dose Meningococcal (MCV)( 1 after age 16) 

GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION DURING SCHOOL HOURS 

The Chester Upland School District recognizes parents are responsible for their children's health. Although we strongly recommend that medication be given in the home, we realize that the health of some children requires that they receive medication while in school.  Parents should confer with the child’s physician to arrange medication intervals to avoid school hours whenever possible. When medication absolutely must be given during school hours, certain procedures must be followed. 

Delivery of Medications  

A parent/guardian or a responsible adult designated by the parent/guardian must deliver all medications to the school.  

The parent AND physician must complete and sign the CUSD medication permission form prior to medication being administered in school.  

The medication must be in the original pharmacy labeled container, the label must contain: Name, address, telephone and federal DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) number of the pharmacy; Patient name; Directions for use (dosage, frequency and time of administration, route, special instructions); Name and registration number of the licensed prescriber; Prescription serial number; Date originally filled; Name of medication and amount dispensed; Controlled substance statement, if applicable.  

Medications in plastic bags or containers other than their original pharmacy container are NOT acceptable.  

The licensed school health personnel (CSN, RN, LPN) receiving any medication should document the quantity of the medication delivered. This documentation should include the date, time, amount of medication and the signatures of the parent/guardian or designated adult delivering the medication and the school health personnel receiving the medication. 

Any controlled substances (such as medications prescribed for ADHD) must also be hand delivered by the parent, counted by the nurse in the presence of the parent, documented, and signed off by both parent and nurse.  
 

Storage and Security of Medications  

All medications should be stored in their original pharmacy container. No more than a thirty (30) school day supply for any one medication should be stored at school.  

Medications should be kept in a securely locked cabinet used exclusively for medications. All controlled substances must be kept in a locked cabinet. 

Medications that require refrigeration should be stored and locked in a refrigerator designated for medications ONLY. Food should not be stored in the same refrigerator as medications.  

Access to all medications should be limited to approved personnel such as the CSN, RN, and LPN, except that in life threatening emergencies, designated personnel may have access.  

The need for emergency medication may require that a student carry the medication on his/her person or that it be easily accessed. 

Administration of Medication  

Before administering medications, the school nurse must understand health and disease processes and the desired action(s) of the medications being given. This guidance is important for observing the student for desired responses as well as potential side effects in order to help the licensed prescriber and parent(s)/guardian(s) plan and adjust therapy for each individual student. In PA, medications are only allowed by licensed professionals (RN, LPN, CSN). 

1. Preparation of Medication  

a. Verify the 5 Rights of medication administration: Right student Right medication Right amount/dosage Right route Right time  

b. Check label on medication container to minimize risk for errors.  

c. Ensure medications are not left unsupervised.  

d. Identify the student and when possible, have the student also check the label.  

2. Routes of Administration  

Nurses working in school settings must be familiar with the various routes of medication administration, and the steps required to correctly and safely perform the procedure in order to ensure the delivery of the medication to the student in the manner prescribed. 

3. Self administration  

Students capable of self-administering medication such as asthma inhalers, epi-pen, or diabetes medications must have this indicated on the medication permission form and deemed competent by the parent and physician. 

School Nurse must also assess students' ability and skills regarding self-medication. School nurses have the right to revoke students' ability to self-medicate if deemed incompetent by using their own nursing judgment to keep the student safe. Parents will be contacted if this is the case.  

4. Medications should always be administered within 1 hour before or 1 hour after prescribed time (except insulin which must be administered at the prescribed time without variance). If medication is outside of the 1-hour window, the nurse must call the parent to inform them of this and obtain parental permission to administer the medication late.  

5. If a student fails to report to the health room for medication, efforts should be made to locate and remind the student to take his/her medication. An IHP or 504 Agreement may be indicated for a student who regularly fails to report for his/her medication. The plan should address ways to improve compliance and the student ‘s understanding of his/her diagnosis. 

6. A student who refuses to take medication should not be physically forced to do so. Students over the age of 14 have the right to refuse medication. If a student refuses to take medication, the parent must be notified immediately. 

Documentation of Medication 

Any medication given during school hours must be documented on an individual student medication record which becomes part of the student ‘s School Health Record. 

Name of student; 

Date and time medication was given; 

Name of medication;  

Dose of medication;  

Route and site of administration;  

Signature of licensed person administering/observing medication being taken 

School health records should include documentation of medication orders, parent/guardian consent form, and an individual medication log. 

Medications for student's w/a 504 plan associated must also have a nursing services log. 

Medication Variances 

Medication variances are deviations from the standard of care. Variances can include incorrect medication, incorrect student, omitted doses, incorrect doses, and incorrect time of administration, incorrect route of administration and/or incorrect technique in administration.  

All variances should be documented and reported to the Lead Nurse.  

The Lead Nurse should notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) and building administrator. 

The Nurse should notify the licensed prescriber if there is potential for harm to the student.  

The student should be assessed by the Nurse and Lead Nurse for any adverse effects. Vital signs must be obtained and recorded.  

An incident report must be written with all event details by the Nurse involved and the Lead Nurse, including the student assessment, and sent to district administrators: Dr. Wilson, Dr. Parkinson, and building principal. 

Disposal of Medications  

Contaminated needles or other contaminated sharp materials should not be bent, recapped, or removed.  

Contaminated needles should be placed immediately in a puncture resistant container that is labeled with a fluorescent or orange-red biohazard symbol or in a red container that is closable 

All discontinued or outdated medications should be returned to the parent/guardian immediately.  

At the end of each school year, all unused medications should be returned to the parent/guardian. Documentation of disposition should include the date, time, amount of medication, and signatures of the parent/guardian and school personnel. If the parent/guardian does not retrieve the medication after 10 days of notification at the end of the school year, the licensed personnel (CSN, RN, LPN) and one witness should dispose of the medication and document the disposal.  

Medications should not be disposed down the drain because waste-water treatment facilities are not designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds and they may end up in local waterways and may eventually be found in drinking water.  

Medications can be disposed of in the trash (guidelines recommend mixing w/undesirable substances prior to disposal) or taken to a nearby pharmacy and given to pharmacist for disposal. *IF THE MEDICATION IS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RETURN MEDICATION TO PARENT, IF UNSUCCESSFUL, PLEASE DISPOSE OF THIS MEDICATION AT A NEARBY PHARMACY-DO NOT THROW IN TRASH OR FLUSH DOWN TOILET* 

Management of chronic health conditions 

Collaboration with healthcare providers and community resources