File:  JHCD

 

ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS

 

            School personnel are prohibited from recommending the use of psychotropic medications for any student.  School health staff, classroom teachers, or other school professionals may recommend that a student is evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner.  In addition, school personnel may consult with a medical practitioner who is serving the student with the written consent of the studentÕs parent.  For the purpose of this policy, Òpsychotropic medicationsÓ means those medications that are prescribed with the intention of altering mental activity or state, including, but not limited to, antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic medication and behavior-altering medication. 

 

How School Personnel Administer Medication

1.         Prescription drugs may be administered by school personnel only with the prior written permission of the parents and the physician (permission implicit in the original pharmaceutical package), stating the type, dosage, and duration of treatment.  The medication must be delivered to the school in the original pharmaceutical package.

 

2.         Nonprescription drugs in the original pharmaceutical package may be administered by school personnel with the prior written permission of the parent(s), stating the type, dosage, and duration of treatment, without written direction or order of a physician.  Homeopathic medications similarly may be administered with written parental permission.  Nonprescription/homeopathic drugs/medications may not be administered for more than five consecutive school days, during a calendar month, without a physicians order.  When any nonprescription or homeopathic substance is requested by parent(s) to be given to a student in a manner that raises immediate substantial concern to the nurse or other dispenser at school, the nurse or dispenser may call the parent or a physician and question the appropriateness of the drug/medication.

 

3.         Be familiar with resources to which substance abuse problems may be referred.

 

4.         Require all students who possess or take any medication or substance at school to have prior written parental permission on file stating the type, dosage, and duration of treatment as described on the attached form.

                                   

Student Possession and Self-Administration of Certain Medications

  1. Certain students may possess and self-administer inhaled asthma medication or

            autoinjectable epinephrine during the school day, at school-sponsored activities, or

            while on a school bus or other school property.

 

2.         The following guidelines must apply:

a.         written consent of the parent and statement of verification that the

            student has demonstrated the ability to safely and effectively administer

            the prescribed medication;

b.              written notice from the studentÕs primary care provider, medical

            specialist, licensed physician, or licensed nurse practitioner;

c.              development of an individualized health care plan including emergency

            procedures to include:

(1)           identification of the student and diagnosis of medical condition.

(2)           verification that the student has approval to self-administer the prescribed medication.

                                

               (continued)

6/08 RCPS                                ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

 

File:  JHCD

                                                                                                                                          (page 2)

 

 

(3)           specification of the name and dosage of the medication and the frequency in which it is to be administered and the circumstances which may warrant the use of the prescribed medication.

(4)           identification of the symptoms of a reaction to the medication.

 

d.              consultation with parents before any limitations or restrictions are imposed and before the permission to possess and self-administer the medication is revoked;

e.              must be consistent with the purpose of the Virginia School Health Guidelines and the Specialized Health Care Procedures Manual;

f.               disclosure or dissemination of information pertaining to student health condition must be in accord with FERPA;

g.              permission is effective for one school year and shall be renewed annually.

                                                                         

 

 

 

 

Adopted:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Legal Ref.:       Code of Virginia, as amended, section 8.01-226.5:1, 22.1-78; 22.1-274.2;

22.1-274.3, 22.1-287, 22.1-289

 

Cross Ref.:      JFCF   Alcohol and Drugs in School

 

                        Rockingham County Public Schools Administrative Directive:

                        Administrative Guidelines for Health Care of Students, AD-JHC-7/01.

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6/08 RCPS                                ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD