FCDS MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION POLICY

FCDS MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION POLICY
Medications administered during school hours by school personnel should be kept to a minimum. The
student in need of medication to sustain his/her attendance in school may have a chronic health
condition, an acute health condition, or a special health care need requiring prescription medication
administration during school hours. The policy is intended to cover these specific types of situations.
A student with an acute condition may be required to take medications such as antibiotics for short
periods of time. Every effort should be made so that medication can be given at home, before or after
school hours.
If prescription medications must be administered during school hours, an Authorization for Medication
Administration form must be filled out and signed by both the students' physician and parent before the
medication can be given by the school nurse or her designate.
When students have pre-existing health conditions which may warrant urgent or emergent measures
such as administration of medication or first-aid, it is the parents' or guardians’ responsibility to assure
that the school nurse is aware of the situation to facilitate implementation of such measures.
By virtue of their age or medical condition, it may be more efficient and advantageous for some
students to self-medicate. The latter is allowable for certain medications if permission is granted, in
writing, by the students' physician and parent. The written permission must be given to the school nurse
for inclusion in the students' health file.
At no time shall a student self-medicate with a prescription drug without prior written permission from
the students' physician and parent and communication regarding such self-medication with the Division
Director and School Nurse. A completed Authorization for Medication Administration form is also
required.
At no time shall a student provide medication of any kind to another student.
All prescription medications administered by school personnel during school hours must be prescribed
by a physician or dentist, or co-signed by one.
Signed parental permission must be on record for all medication administered at the school.
All prescription medication must be provided in a labeled container which includes the student's name,
the name of the medication, the unit dosage to be given, the number of dosage units, the time the
medication is to be given, and the route of administration.
All prescription medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the Health Room (exceptions may be
made for medicine which requires refrigeration).

Protocols will exist for specific non prescription medications. These nonprescription medications will
only be administered per protocol and with the signed permission of the parent and signed order of the
students’ physician or designee.
It is highly recommended that students do not self-medicate with non prescription medications during
regular school hours. Any non prescription medications needed by a student during school hours that
are not normally administered from the Health Room may be brought from home to the Health Room
with a note signed by the physician and parent for administration to the student. The School Nurse will
store such medications for individual students in the Health Room. All medications must be in their
original packaging, clearly identifying the name, dose, and instructions for administration.
Individual medication administration records will be maintained for all students receiving daily
medications. The date, time, dosage, route of administration and person administering the medication
will be recorded.
Medication administration will be the responsibility of the school nurse or her designate.
All forms related to medication administration at school are available on the Magnus Website.
If a student requires a non prescription medication while on a day field trip due to illness or injury, the
teacher will contact the school nurse for triage of the student prior to any medications being given. For
overnight field trips, the teacher will administer over- the -counter medications per doctor’s order for
the individual student.
FCDS med. Admin policy 4/2015