Medication Administration

For Newberg School Personnel

Training

Training must be approved by ODE School district may not allow personnel to

administer medication until training is complete.

Content Areas– Non-prescription medications – Student Self-Administration – Prescription medications

Three Medication Classifications

Non-prescription Medication

Student Self-Administered

Prescription Medications

Non-Prescription Medication

Non-alcohol based

Medications necessary for students to remain in school.

You must have written instruction from parent or guardian in order to administer to student

Non-Prescription Medication

Written parameters for administration– Signed permission from parent or guardian. – Must include

Student’s name Medication name Medication dose, frequency and route

Must be brought to school by the parent in the original container or packaging.

Student Self Administration

Self administration of Medications: The student must demonstrate the ability

developmentally and behaviorally to self medicate.

– Requires no assistance from personnel– Requires no documentation

Student Self-Administration

In order for a student to self administer, signatures are needed from:– Parent/Guardian– Building Administrator– Student– Doctor (if medication is prescription)

Student Self-Administration

Self administering prescription medications include managing asthma and/or severe allergy. Inhalers must have label attached.

All medication must be kept in its original container. Students can only carry the amount of medication needed for that school day.

For emergency medications such as bronchodilators/epinephrine, backup medication may be kept within the school for immediate access.

Prescription Medication

Any non-injectable medication prescribed by one of the following– Physician – Nurse Practitioner– Dentist– Optometrist– Psychiatrist

Prescription Medication

Must be prepared and labeled and prepared by registered Pharmacist.

Must have signed permission and instruction from parent.

Should only be administered if medication is required during school hours.

Prescription Medication

Written instruction from parents or guardian must include the following:– Name of Student– Name of Medication– Dosage– Route– Frequency of administration– Other special instructions– Signature from parents/guardian

More About Prescriptions

Ensure that all prescriptions:– Have written instruction from physician or

pharmacist Prescription label meets these requirements

– Are brought in original container from pharmacy

5 Rights of Medication Administration

Prior to administering any medications, always follow the standards of safety: The 5 Rights.– Right student– Right medication– Right dose– Right time– Right route

Handling Medication

Always wash your hands before giving medication. Avoid touching medication with your bare hands. Get any water needed for oral medication from a

clear source; not from a sink where first aid is provided.

Do not use your fingers to put medication in the student’s mouth.

Some Considerations

Some medications need to be crushed or cut:– Parents are responsible for providing a pill

cutter/crusher

Measuring liquid medication:– Only use calibrated medicine cups

Routes of Medication

Oral/Mouth– Tablets, capsules, syrups, elixirs

Topical/outside of the body– Skin, eyes, ears, nose– Always wear gloves when assisting with topical

medications– Avoid touching the eye with the tip of the bottle or

tube to decrease risk of infection

Routes of Medication

Inhalation– Nose, mouth – Metered Dose Inhalers: Using the inhaler

Remove cap from canister and shake well Place spacer on canister mouth piece if provided Instruct student to blow out a deep breath Place mouth around opening, press down once on

canister and breath in deep Hold breath for at least 10 second

Safe Storage and Handling

Store all medications in the original container.

Store in a clean, locked cabinet. Medications should be brought to school and

returned home by a parent. Do not allow students to carry medications to or from school. The only exception is a student with a signed self medication agreement.

Safe Storage and Handling

Medications that require counting have the potential for abuse; it is essential to carefully monitor and store these.

– Should be counted by parent and trained school staff. – These medications include antianxiety, ADHD and narcotics

medications. If medication changes, parents must notify in

writing. Do not accept any verbal requests. Refrigerated medications must be kept between 36

and 46 degrees F.

Disposing of Medication

Medication not picked up by the parent at the end of the school year or within 5 school days of the end of the medication period, whichever is earlier, will be disposed of by a designated school staff in accordance with current recommendations from state and federal government.  

Disposing of Medication

Any medication that is disposed of at school should:– Mixed with undesirable substance, ex. Coffee grounds – Placed in impermeable containers and then into trash – Original container/personal identification should be

destroyed Do not flush any medication down the toilet unless specific

instructions state it is safe to do so. All disposal of medications will be documented on the back

of the medication record.

Student Medication Record

Required for each student receiving medication administration at school.

One sheet for signing supply in and out. One sheet to show what was administered by

whom and when. Recording

– Always use black or blue ink, never use white out or pencil

Confidentiality

All student medication files are confidential. Access to records is limited to:

– Parent/guardian– Authorized school staff

Parental authorization is required for release of information.

The 2 Big C’s

Confidentiality and Cooperation– Only share medical information on a need to

know basis.– Work together with teacher and all school staff to

achieve mutual goals. Examples: Cafeteria works should know who your

diabetic students are and can help with monitoring food. Can med times be adjusted to avoid classroom

disruption?

Unexpected Situations

Student does not come at scheduled time:– Send for them– Document on the medication record and notify parents via

phone/writing

Student refuses: – Encourage student to take– Document on the medication record and notify parents via

phone/writing

Student vomits or spits out medication:– Document, notify parents

Medication Errors

What are medication errors?– No dose or wrong dose given– Wrong student, time or route

Report medication errors immediately to:– parent/guardian– Physician/nurse– Building administrator

Side Effects

Report any unusual symptoms/behaviors to the school nurse and parent immediately.

Serious allergic reactions: – In the event, policies are in place to notify 911– School personnel should be trained in CPR in the

event of Absent pulse/absent breathing

Off Campus Activities

A trained staff person will be designated to administer medications to students.

Medication must be in the original container. Medication must be signed out and back in by the

designated staff member. Administration will be documented when medication

is given or as soon as you return. Medication should be stored in a secure location.

Regulations

ORS 339.870 Liability of School Personnel Administering Medication

– A school administrator, teacher, or other school employee designated by the school administrator, who in good faith administer medications to a pupil pursuant to written permission of the pupil’s parents or guardians and in compliance with the instructions of a physician, is not liable in a criminal action or for civil damages as a result of the administration except for an act of omission amounting to negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.

One more Law

OAR 581-021-0037– OAR 581-021-0037 requires that staff be designated and

trained before administering any non injectable medications. This rule lists definitions, directs school districts to adopt specific policies, and describes the elements of the procedure that permits administration of prescription and non prescription medications. School districts must address student self-medication in the policies and procedures. Please see OAR 581-021-0037 at the ODE website for more information and JHCD-AR at our district website for medication policy.

Finals Thoughts

School staff are protected by law if careful observation of the regulations are followed.

Share written information with school nurse and the administer to keep all parties informed. This will help to build a cooperative school environment to ensure success.