| DeWitt Public Schools |
| Bylaws & Policies |
5330 - USE OF MEDICATIONS
The Board of Education 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, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program.
For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) drugs and herbal medications and includes those taken by mouth, by inhaler, those that are injectable and those applied as drops to eyes, nose or medications applied to the skin. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.
It is expected that medications be brought to the school by the student’s parent or guardian.
Authorization to administer medication shall be issued only in compliance with the following conditions:
| A. | The Request for Administration of Medication form must be signed by the student's parent/guardian; | |
| B. | Written instructions signed by the student's parent/guardian and physician, if a prescription, must be furnished to school officials (yearly if continuous). No changes to medical dosage or time of administration will be made except by the written instructions from a parent or physician. These instructions shall include the following information: |
| 1. | student's name | ||
| 2. | name of medication | ||
| 3. | purpose of medication | ||
| 4. | time to be administered and method | ||
| 5. | dosage | ||
| 6. | possible side effect | ||
| 7. | termination date for administering medication |
| C. | The parent or guardian of the child assumes responsibility to inform the building principal or his/her designated representative of any change in the child's health or change in the medication. | |
| D. | A record shall be maintained which indicates the time/date of the medication, the amount of medication and the adult witness present. This form shall be signed by the adult in charge. |
Only medication in its original container labeled with the date, if a prescription; the student's name; and exact dosage will be administered.
Staff members are to administer medication or treatment only in the presence of another adult, except in the case of an emergency that threatens the life or health of the student. Staff licensed as registered nurses are exempt from this requirement.
All medication shall be kept in a locked storage case in the school office.
The Board shall permit the administration by staff of any medication requiring intravenous or intramuscular injection or the insertion of a device into the body when both the medication and the procedure are prescribed by a physician and the staff member has completed any necessary training.
Students who may require administration of an emergency medication may have such medication in accord with the Superintendent's administrative guidelines.
All individuals designated to administer medication are encouraged to receive in-service training on all District policies and procedures related to this responsibility.
School staff must be trained by a registered nurse, physician, or physician assistant who has knowledge of local school medication policies and procedures.
All medication shall be kept in labeled container as prepared by a pharmacy, physician, or pharmaceutical company with the student’s name, the name of the medication, dosage, and the frequency of administration. Medications shall be stored in a school location that is kept locked. Emergency medications may be stored in an area readily accessible to the individual designated to administer them.
All controlled-substance¹ medications will be counted and recorded upon receipt from the parent/guardian. The medication shall be recounted on a regular basis (monthly or bi-weekly) and this count reconciled with the medication administration log/record. A log of medication administration shall be kept in a school office.
The following definition of "self-administration/self-possession" is adopted for use in this District/school: Self-administration means that the student is able to consume or apply prescription and non-prescription medication in the manner directed by the parent and physician, if a prescription, without additional assistance or direction. Self-possession means that the student may carry medication on his/her person to allow for immediate and self-determined administration.
| A. | Student whose parent/guardian and physician, if a prescription, provide written permission will be able to self-administer and self-possess his/her own medications. | |
| B. | A medication that a student possesses must be labeled and prepared by a pharmacy or pharmaceutical company and include the dosage and frequency of administration. | |
| C. | A student’s use is supported if the conditions of written permission and physician directions are met. A building administrator may discontinue a student’s right to self-administer and self-possession if there is misuse by the student. The denial shall follow a consultation with the parent/guardian. |
The Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines to ensure the proper implementation of this policy.
¹Controlled-substance is defined as a drug regulated by the Federal Controlled Substance Acts, including opiates, depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
M.C.L.A. 380.1178, 380.1179
Revised 11/13/00
Revised 6/11/01
Revised 4/16/03