CODE: 5141.21 Monitored X Mandated
X Other Reasons
Policy
Board of Education
Township of West Milford
SECTION: PUPILS
ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
The West Milford Board of Education shall not be responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of pupil illness. The administration of prescribed medication to a pupil during school hours will be permitted only when failure to take such medicine would jeopardize the health of the pupil or the pupil would not be able to attend school if the medicine were not made available during school hours. For the purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines prescribed by a physician for the particular pupil, including over the counter medication or emergency medication for any life threatening illness, condition or reaction.
A. Permission for Administration of Medication
Before any medication may be administered to or by any pupil during school hours, the Board shall require the written request of both a licensed physician and a parent/guardian, which shall give permission for such administration and relieve the Board and its employees of liability for administration of medication.
Such written requests shall be made through completion of the district's form for a "Request for Self-Administration of Medication" or a "Physician Request for Dispensing Medication During School Hours", which shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse.
In addition, the Board requires that such written requests shall include:
1. The purpose of the medication;
2. The dosage;
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3. The time at which or the special circumstances under which medication shall be administered;
4. The length of time for which medication is prescribed;
5. The possible side effects of the medication;
Both documents shall be kept on file in the office of the school nurse. These requests must be filed annually.
B. Procedures for Administration of Medication
The district medical officer shall develop procedures for the administration of medication which provide that:
1. All medications, whether prescribed or over the counter, shall be administered by the school nurse, the parent/guardian, or the pupil where the physician and parent/guardian have given permission;
2. Medications shall be securely stored and kept in the original labeled container;
3. The school nurse shall maintain a record of the name of the pupil to whom medication may be administered, the prescribing physician, the dosage and timing of medication, and a notation of each instance of administration;
4. All medications shall be supplied by the parent/guardian and shall be picked up at the end of the school year or the end of the period of medication, whichever is earlier.
C. Asthma Conditions:
The West Milford Board of Education recognizes that asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. The Board of Education is aware that the impact of asthma can be evidenced in absenteeism and lack of participation in athletic and exercise programs. In order to maintain good performance in school, participate fully in physical activities, and prevent acute symptoms and episodes, the Board of Education directs the Superintendent of Schools to develop an asthma management program for every school within the district. The program shall include:
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1. A written plan, such as an “Asthma Action Card” submitted in September of every school year by the parents and the healthcare provider for each student with asthma. The action plan should describe:
a. the child’s daily medications
b. factors that can trigger an asthma episode
c. a daily asthma management plan
d. an emergency asthma action plan.
e. use of a peak flow meter, if applicable
2. An Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) and an Individualized Emergency Health Care Plan (IEHP) should be written by the school nurse for each student with asthma and shall be annually reviewed.
3. Each school nurse in the district shall have and maintain for the use of pupils at least one nebulizer.
4. Administration of medications in school:
a. Medication for the management of asthma will be administered during school hours according to the West Milford Board of Education Policy, “Administering Medications.”
b. Self-administration of medication by pupils is permitted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.3.
c. Administration of medication via Nebulizer.
The Board of Education shall permit the school nurse to administer asthma medications via nebulizer (according to the specific physician’s orders) in warranted situations. In their absence, only a Registered Nurse or the parent may administer medications via the nebulizer.
The Board of Education shall inform the pupil’s parent/guardian in writing that, if the specified procedures are followed, the district, its employees, and agents shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the nebulized or metered dose inhaler medication to the pupil.
Parents/guardians shall provide the West Milford Board of Education with the following:
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1. Written orders from the physician that the pupil requires the administration of nebulized medication for asthma signs and symptoms;
2. Written permission from the parent for the administration of medication via nebulizer by the school nurse.
3. A signed statement acknowledging their understanding that, if the specified procedures are followed, the district shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of nebulized asthma medication by the school nurse to the pupil and that the district, its employees, and agents shall be indemnified and held harmless against any claims arising out of the administration of nebulized asthma medication to the pupil.
4. Each certified school nurse or RN substitute will receive training in airway management and in the use of nebulizers and inhalers using standardized training protocol designated by the State Department of Education.
5. The school nurse will instruct the classroom teachers in the removal of all pets, animals, plants, and flowers from the classrooms (as these are common triggers for students with asthma) on an “as needed” basis.
6. The school nurse shall collaborate with the physical education teacher to modify the physical activity program for the student with asthma, as needed, due to seasonal conditions, respiratory infections, etc. with permission of the parent/guardian.
7. The school nurse may provide the Principal, the child’s teachers, and Child Study Team members (if applicable) concerned with the pupil’s educational progress with such information about the pupil’s asthma medication and its administration with permission of the parent/guardian.
D. Pupil Self-Administration of Medication
The Board shall permit self-administration of medication for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses by pupils, both on school premises during regular school hours and off-site or after regular schools hours when a pupil is participating in field trips or extracurricular activities. Life-threatening illness means an illness or condition that
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requires an immediate response to specific symptoms or sequelae that may indicate the potential loss of life; e.g., adrenalin injection in response to anaphylaxis. Parents/guardians of the pupil must meet the following conditions:
1. Provide the Board with written authorization for the pupil's self-administration of medication;
2. Provide written certification from the pupil's physician that the pupil has asthma or another potentially life-threatening illness and is capable, has been instructed in, and understands the proper method of self-administration of medication;
3. Sign a statement acknowledging that the district shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication by the pupil and that the parents/guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the self-administration of medication by the pupil.
4. The pupil and his/her parents/guardians shall be informed that permission is effective for the school year for which it is granted and must be renewed for each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of requirements listed above;
5. The parents/guardians shall be informed in writing that the district and its employees or agents shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from self-administration of medication.
E. Implementation
The Board directs implementation of the above requirements for the administration of medication effective immediately.
F. Emergency Administration of Epinephrine
The Board shall permit the school nurse or medical inspector to administer epinephrine via epi-pen in emergency situations. In their absence, a designee or designees who are employees of the Board may do so.
The designees must be properly trained by the school nurse in the administration of the epi-pen using the standardized training protocol designated by the State Department of Education. Each designee shall receive individual training for each pupil for whom he/she is designated.
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The Board shall inform the pupil’s parents/guardians in writing that, if the specified procedures are followed, the district, its employees, and agents shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epi-pen to the pupil.
Parents/guardians shall provide the Board with the following:
1. Written orders from the physician that the pupil requires the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis and does not have the capability for self-administration of the medication;
2. Written permission for the administration of epinephrine via epi-pen by the school nurse or designee(s);
3. A signed statement acknowledging their understanding that, if the specified procedures are followed, the district shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epi-pen by the school nurse or designee(s) to the pupil and that the district, its employees, and agents shall be indemnified and held harmless against any claims arising out of the administration of the epi-pen to the pupil.
Permission for the administration of epinephrine via epi-pen shall be granted annually and must be renewed each school year upon the fulfillment of the above requirements.
G. Implementation
The Board shall adopt regulations on all aspects of the administration of medication.
First Reading: January 25, 2005
Adopted: February 22, 2005