5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS

The School Board shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, or the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours.

For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and nurse practitioner and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.

Before any medication or treatment may be administered by school personnel to any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written prescription from the child's physician or nurse practitioner for all prescription drugs accompanied by the written authorization of the parent. In the case of nonprescription drugs, preparations, or remedies, a written authorization from the parent must be on file prior to administration of the treatment. These documents shall be kept on file in the office of the nurses office.

Before any prescribed medication or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written prescription from the child's physician or nurse practitioner accompanied by the written authorization of the parent. Both must also authorize any self-medication by the student.

Before any nonprescribed medication or treatment may be administered, the Board shall require the prior written consent of the parent. Over-the-Counter medications are to remain in the school health office and will not be released to any student under the age of eighteen (18). Students age eighteen (18) or older may pick up their medications with written permission from a parent/guardian. (Exception: Self-administration of medicine for emergency medications that have been previously cleared through the school nurse/nursing staff). A physician or nurse practitioner’s signature is required on the possession and use of inhalers and epi-pens and the completed form must be on file in the school health office. Administration of all forms of medication shall be administered by the Corporation, in accordance with the Superintendent's guidelines. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student.

Only medication in its original container, labeled with the date of prescription, student's name, and exact dosage will be administered.

Medications are dispensed on a routine or as needed basis per parent request. In order to provide this service, parents need to be aware of the following:

A. School Delay Days:

Medication will be given at the first designated prescribed time. It is important to inform the nurse of any changes in the time that medicine should be given.

B. Early Dismissal Days:

Lunchtime medication after 11:50 a.m. will not be given.

C. Prescription Medications:

Medications must be in the pharmacy labeled containers. Medications must be dated, state the student's name, state medication name and strength, and state the amount and frequency of the dosage.

D. Over-the-Counter Medications:

Medication must be in their original containers. If the dosage amount requested to be given exceeds the recommended dosage, a doctor or nurse practitioner’s note must be provided. Forms for distribution of medication may be obtained in the nurse's office.

E. All medications must have FDA approval. For the safety of students medication, such as herbal remedies, cannot be administered.

F. Medications provided to the school nurse or nursing staff member must not expire within the school year if it is to be provided long-term. Medications in the nurse’s possession that have expired will be destroyed.

The Board shall permit the administration by the school nurse of any medication requiring injection or the insertion of a device into the body when both the medication and the procedure are prescribed by a physician and the nurse has completed any necessary training.

Possession and Self-Administration of Medication is Permitted

Students are not permitted to carry medications on their person, in their locker, and may not possess or self-administer medications of any kind except under the following conditions:

A student with a chronic disease or medical condition may possess and self-administer medication for a chronic disease or medical condition if the following conditions are met:

A. The student's parent has filed an authorization with the nurse or nursing staff principal for the student to possess and self-administer the medication. The authorization must include the statement described in subdivision #B below.

B. A physician or nurse practitioner states in writing that:

1. the student has an acute or chronic disease or medical condition for which the physician or nurse practitioner has prescribed medication;

2. the student has been instructed in how to self-administer the medication; and

3. the nature of the disease or medical condition requires emergency administration of the medicine.

4. the student has been evaluated by the physical or nurse practitioner and is considered capable of self-administration.

The authorization and statement described above must be filed with nurse/nursing staff annually.

No student shall be allowed to keep medicine at school without permission and appropriate documentation as detailed above. Any medication to be administered to a student shall be brought to either the principal's office or the school nurses' office where it will be kept in a secure place. Outside of the above exceptions students are never authorized to possess, self-administer, or provide medications to another person.

Students who may require administration of an emergency medication may have such medication, identified as aforenoted, stored in the nurses office and administered in accord with this policy.

Medication that is possessed by a school for administration during school hours or at school functions, for students in grades K-12 may be released only to the student’s parent or to an individual who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and who has been designated, in writing, by the student’s parent to receive the medication.

School nurses are encouraged to obtain a release of information enabling them to speak directly with the student's physician or nurse practitioner and exchange information and records with the student's physician or nurse practitioner.

The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines to ensure the proper implementation of this policy.

I.C. 20-8.1-5.1-7.5
I.C. 20-8.1-7-22
I.C. 34-30-12
511 I.A.C. 7-6-7