Definitions
Medications – For the purposes of this policy, medications include prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, including herbal preparations and vitamins. Medications also include substances that
claim or purport to be medicinal or performance enhancing.
Authorized Prescriber – Includes a healthcare provider licensed or otherwise authorized by state law
to prescribe medication.
General
The Farmington R-7 School District is not legally obligated to administer medication to students
unless specifically included in a Section 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP).
However, the Board recognizes that some students may require medication for chronic or short-term
illnesses to enable them to remain in school and participate in the district's educational services. The
district prohibits students from possessing or self-administering medications while on district
grounds, on district transportation or during district activities unless explicitly authorized in
accordance with this policy. The superintendent, in collaboration with the district nursing staff, will
establish administrative procedures for storing and administering medications in compliance with
this policy and pursuant to state and federal law. Medications will only be administered at school
when it is not possible or effective for the student to receive the medication at home.
The administration of medications is a nursing activity that must be performed by or under the
supervision of a registered professional nurse. A registered professional nurse may delegate the
administration of medication to a licensed practical nurse or unlicensed personnel who are trained
by the nurse to administer medications. The registered professional nurse is responsible for
developing written procedures for training unlicensed personnel in the administration of medications
and for supervising the administration of medication by others. In accordance with law, any trained
or qualified employee will be held harmless and immune from civil liability for administering
medication in good faith and according to standard medical practices. A qualified employee is one
who has been trained to administer medication according to standard medical practices.
The nurse or designee must maintain thorough documentation of all medications administered to
students.
Nurses must use reasonable and prudent judgment to determine whether to administer particular
medications to students while also working in collaboration with parents/guardians and the school
administration. The student’s authorized prescriber shall provide the school with a written request
that the student be given prescription or non-stock medication during school hours. The
parent/guardian will provide a written request that the district comply with the prescriber’s request
to give medication. The district shall not knowingly administer medication in an amount exceeding
the recommended daily dosage as listed in medical or pharmaceutical text. In carrying out their legal
duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of students, nurses will, when necessary, clarify
authorized prescriber orders and respond in accordance with such clarifications.
The district shall not knowingly administer medications in an amount exceeding the recommended
daily dosage listed in the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) or other recognized medical or
pharmaceutical text. Except for the emergency use of a prefilled epinephrine auto syringe or asthma-related rescue medication, the district will not administer the first dose of any medication.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to arrange to administer prescription medications themselves
when possible.
Over-the-Counter Medications
May be either:
► Stock medication (supplied by the district) or
► Non-stock medication (supplied by the parent)
A. Stock Medication
1. Standing Orders
a. The district will secure the services of a physician to write standing orders to
cover the administration of each nonprescription stock medication.
b. The standing orders will specify:
► Product name and age-specific dose
► Indication(s) for giving medication
c. The standing orders will be reviewed and signed on a yearly basis.
2. Stock medication will be administered by the school nurse or principal's designee
after assessment of the child's problem.
3. Parental Consent
In addition to the standing order, written parental consent must be obtained before
acetaminophen (Tylenol) is given. This consent must be updated on a yearly basis
and may be withdrawn by the parent at any time.
B. Non-Stock Medication
1. If a parent so chooses, he/she may request their personal physician to write an order
on their child for a specific over-the-counter medication. A faxed order or phone
order followed by a written order is also acceptable. The physician's order must
specify:
a. Name of student
b. Medication, dose and time interval
c. Diagnosis or reason for treatment
d. Possible side effects
e. Physician's signature and date
A physician's consent form is available from the school nurse.
2. The parent or guardian will supply the medication in a manufacturer's labeled bottle.
3. Written consent from the parent or guardian must accompany the medication.
Documentation
School personnel will document on the student's medication record by initialing each time a dose
is given. In addition, a one-time signature is required at the bottom of each medication record.
Drug Allergies (see Board policy JHCF)
The parent or guardian has the responsibility of keeping the school nurse informed and updated of
any known drug allergies. This information will be recorded by the school nurse on the student's
medication record and health record.
Possession and Self-Administration of Medications
The district will permit a student to possess and self-administer medications in accordance with an
IEP or Section 504 plan or in accordance with state law allowing students to possess and self-administer medications for a chronic health condition. However, permission to possess and
self-administer medications may be revisited if there is evidence that the student is not handling or
administering the medication appropriately or that the student’s actions may be harming his or her
own health or the health and safety of other persons.
Students with IEPs or Section 504 Plans
Students may possess and self-administer medications in accordance with the student’s IEP or
Section 504 plan.
Students with Chronic Health Conditions
Students may possess and self-administer medications for the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis and
other chronic health conditions in accordance with this policy and law. The district will not permit
students to possess and self-administer medications unless:
1. The medication was prescribed or ordered by the student's physician.
2. The physician has provided a written treatment plan for the condition for which the
medication was prescribed or authorized that includes a certification that the student is
capable of and has been instructed in the correct and responsible use of the medication and
has demonstrated to the physician or the physician's designee the skill level necessary to use
the medication.
3. The student has demonstrated proper self-administration technique to the school nurse.
4. The student's parent/guardian has signed a statement authorizing self-administration and
acknowledging that the district and its employees or agents will incur no liability as a result
of any injury arising from the self-administration of such medication unless such injury is a
result of negligence on the part of the district or its employees or agents.
Consequences
Students who possess or consume medications in violation of this policy while on district grounds,
on district transportation or during a district activity may be disciplined up to and including
suspension or expulsion. Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined up to and including
termination. District administrators will notify law enforcement when they believe a crime has
occurred.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 07/18/1995
Revised: 12/15/1998; 05/16/2006; 02/20/2007; 08/16/2011; 01/17/2012; 05/21/2013
Cross Refs: EBB, Communicable Diseases
EBBA, Illness and Injury Response and Prevention
Legal Refs: §§ 167.621 - .635, 335.016, .066, 338.059, 577.625, .628, RSMo.
Davis v. Francis Howell Sch. Dist., 138 F. 3d 754 (8th Cir. 1998)
DeBord v. Board of Educ. of Ferguson-Florissant Sch. Dist., 126 F.3d 1102 (8th Cir.
1997)
Farmington R-7 School District, Farmington, Missouri
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