507.2 Administration of Medication to Students

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

The Board is committed to the inclusion of all students in the education program and recognizes that some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program.

Medication shall be administered when the student’s parent or guardian (hereafter “parent”) provides a signed and dated written statement requesting medication administration, and the medication is in the original labeled container, either as dispensed or in the manufacturer’s container.

When the administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan shall be developed by the licensed health practitioner with the student and the student’s parent.  Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication.  A written statement by the student’s parent shall be on file requesting co-administration (student administration) of medication, when competence has been demonstrated. By law, students with asthma or other airway constricting diseases or students at risk of anaphylaxis who use epinephrine auto-injectors may self-administer their medication upon the written approval of the student’s parents and prescribing licensed health care professional regardless of competency

Persons administering medication shall include the licensed registered nurse, parent, physician, and persons who have successfully completed a medication administration course reviewed by the Board of Pharmacy Examiners.  A medication administration course and periodic update shall be conducted by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist and record of course completion kept on file at the agency.

A written medication administration record shall be on file including:

 

  • date                                                      
  • student’s name       
  • prescriber or person authorizing administration
  • medication
  • medication dosage
  • administration time
  • administration method
  • signature and title of the person administering medication, and
  • any unusual circumstances, actions or omissions

Medication shall be stored in a secured area unless an alternate provision is documented. Emergency protocols for medication-related reactions shall be posted.  Medication information shall be confidential information as provided by law.

Disposal of unused, discontinued/recalled, or expired medication shall be in compliance with federal and state law.  Prior to disposal school personnel shall make a reasonable attempt to return medication by providing written notification that expired, discontinued, or unused medication needs to be picked up.  If medication is not picked up by the date specified, disposal shall be in accordance with disposal procedures for  specific category of medication.

NOTE:  Iowa law requires school districts to allow students with asthma or other airway constricting disease to carry and self-administer their medication as long as the parents and prescribing physician report and approve in writing.  Students do not have to prove competency to the school district. The consent form, see 507.2E1 is all that is required.  School districts that determine students are abusing their self-administration may either withdraw the self-administration if medically advisable or discipline the student, or both.

 

 

Approved:    4/14/97                  Revised:  12/99

                                                                7/06

                                                                 10/16

                                                                 

 

Legal Reference:                  §§ 155A.4(2)”c”, Iowa Code (1999)

                                           Education[281] - §41.12(11)

                                           Pharmacy[657] - 10.16(204), IAC

                                           Nursing Board [655] - §6.2(152), IAC

                                           §124.101, Code of Iowa (1999)

                                           §147.107, Code of Iowa (1999)

                                           §152.1, Code of Iowa (1999)

 

 

 

507.2E1 Record of the Administration of Presciption Medication

507.2E2 Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Prescription Medication to Students

507.2E3 Emergency Protocol for Medication-Related Reaction

 

Emergency Protocol for Medication-Related Reaction

 

  1. Extreme Allergic Reaction: An extreme sensitivity may cause a reaction. A reaction is rare and an extremely serious situation. The reaction may start rapidly, be brief, and require immediate action.

B.   Symptoms mat include any change in behavior and are not limited to:

  1. Feeling of apprehension, sweating, weakness.
  2. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
  3. Low blood pressure with weak, rapid pulse.
  4. Flushing, hives, itching.
  5. Shallow respirations, difficulty breathing.
  6. Nasal congestion, itching, sneezing, wheezing.
  7. Seizures, loss of consciousness, shock, coma.
  8. Difficulty walking, blue/gray lips or fingernails.

C.  Procedure:

  1. Get help. Stay with the individual with the reaction. Observe symptoms, note time.
  2. Immediate call to emergency service for transportation to health facility per emergency plan.

Example: call 911 in extreme reaction.

  1. Immediate adrenaline subcutaneous injection. Per standing orders.
  2. Continue observing vital signs (respirations, blood pressure, pulse, and level of consciousness). Provide emergency personnel with health information and summary of reaction.
  3. Notify school nurse, parent/guardian, and physician.
  4. If student is still at school in 15-20 minutes, repeat adrenaline dose.

D.  Follow-up:

  1. Complete school incident report.
  2. Consult with parent/guardian and physician on appropriate individual school emergency health plan.

 

 

 

Reviewed:  10/16