Module Two Medication Administration

Medication Administration In the School Setting

How to Safely Meet the Medication Needs of Our Students Student NursePhysician Trained Personnel Parent Who is responsible?

What is Medication Administration? It is an important responsibility! It is an important responsibility! It is impossible to overemphasize the responsibility assumed when administering medicine to a child. It is impossible to overemphasize the responsibility assumed when administering medicine to a child.

What is Medication Administration? This includes medicines prescribed by a health care provider (such as antibiotics, medicines for seizures or behavior problems, or inhalers for asthma) as well as those purchased over-the-counter (such as cold pills, cough syrups, vitamins, Tylenol, or Advil). This includes medicines prescribed by a health care provider (such as antibiotics, medicines for seizures or behavior problems, or inhalers for asthma) as well as those purchased over-the-counter (such as cold pills, cough syrups, vitamins, Tylenol, or Advil).

It Is More Complicated Than You Might Think! Each state has specific regulations and guidelines for the school setting that address safe administration of medication. Each state has specific regulations and guidelines for the school setting that address safe administration of medication. BE SURE YOU KNOW THE REGULATIONS IN YOUR STATE! BE SURE YOU KNOW THE REGULATIONS IN YOUR STATE!

It Is More Complicated Than You Might Think! There may be additional regulations in areas such as nursing or pharmacy that affect administration practices in your state. There may be additional regulations in areas such as nursing or pharmacy that affect administration practices in your state. This information covers the basics only! This information covers the basics only!

Why is Medication Administration Important? Medications have been developed which help children combat short and long-term illnesses and improve their health and life. Medications have been developed which help children combat short and long-term illnesses and improve their health and life. Careful and accurate administration of these drugs is essential to treat illnesses and prevent health problems. Careful and accurate administration of these drugs is essential to treat illnesses and prevent health problems.

Why is Medication Administration Important? Each child reacts uniquely to each medication. In addition to prescriptions from their health care provider, families may independently purchase many medicines, herbs, vitamins, and home remedies. Each child reacts uniquely to each medication. In addition to prescriptions from their health care provider, families may independently purchase many medicines, herbs, vitamins, and home remedies. Since these all affect the body and may interact with each other, they must ALL be considered as medications in the school setting. Since these all affect the body and may interact with each other, they must ALL be considered as medications in the school setting.

When Should Medication be Given in a School Setting? Medicines should only be given in a school setting when it is truly necessary. Medicines should only be given in a school setting when it is truly necessary. It is safest and best for children to receive their medicines at home It is safest and best for children to receive their medicines at home

When Should Medication be Given in a School Setting? Doses up to three times a day can often be given before and after school hours. Doses up to three times a day can often be given before and after school hours. When the number of doses, or the action of the medication requires a dose during school hours, an agency policy based on state regulations must be in place. When the number of doses, or the action of the medication requires a dose during school hours, an agency policy based on state regulations must be in place. These requirements must be met before starting the medication. These requirements must be met before starting the medication.

Why So Many Forms? The multiple forms and signatures required seem quite "formal" and are sometimes confusing to both parents and care providers. It is important to recall that the role of provider is a professional one and is distinct from the role of a parent. T The rules and forms exist to protect the child, the parent, and the provider against harmful mistakes. Once this is clear, the forms seem more "friendly".

Who May Give Medications? EACH STATE WILL HAVE ITS OWN RULES ABOUT THIS! EACH STATE WILL HAVE ITS OWN RULES ABOUT THIS! Be sure to understand your state’s nursing delegation laws. Be sure to understand your state’s nursing delegation laws. In Alabama the school nurse in collaboration with the principal, will select the person to assist students with medication and provide training and supervision for this activity. In Alabama the school nurse in collaboration with the principal, will select the person to assist students with medication and provide training and supervision for this activity.

Who May Give Medications? In Alabama the term Medication Assistant will be used to identify that individual chosen by the school nurse for training. In Alabama the term Medication Assistant will be used to identify that individual chosen by the school nurse for training. According to the State of Alabama Nurse Practice Act, the Board of Nursing began working with school nurses, educators and school administrators to address how, and who gave medicines in the school. According to the State of Alabama Nurse Practice Act, the Board of Nursing began working with school nurses, educators and school administrators to address how, and who gave medicines in the school.

Who May Give Medications? Prior to December 3, 2001, school nurses could teach unlicensed school employees or teachers about medicines but could not delegate a nursing task or function to an unlicensed person. Prior to December 3, 2001, school nurses could teach unlicensed school employees or teachers about medicines but could not delegate a nursing task or function to an unlicensed person.

Who May Give Medications? Delegation is a key issue because the licensed nurse retains responsibility for the task that is delegated to someone else---someone else performs the task but the nurse retains the responsibility for the outcome. Delegation is a key issue because the licensed nurse retains responsibility for the task that is delegated to someone else---someone else performs the task but the nurse retains the responsibility for the outcome. The Alabama Board of Nursing’s legal mandate is the protection of public health, safety and welfare. The Alabama Board of Nursing’s legal mandate is the protection of public health, safety and welfare.

Who May Give Medications? Any staff member who administers medication should receive training (the school nurse provides this training). Any staff member who administers medication should receive training (the school nurse provides this training). Topics should include categories and actions of medications, routes of administration, dosages and measurement, the Six Rights* laws, documentation, and the specific policies of the LEA. Topics should include categories and actions of medications, routes of administration, dosages and measurement, the Six Rights* laws, documentation, and the specific policies of the LEA.

How Can Medications be Given Safely? Safety is promoted when staff is well-prepared and specifically trained in medication administration. Safety is promoted when staff is well-prepared and specifically trained in medication administration. Having specific staff consistently assigned to this responsibility increases accuracy and safety. Having specific staff consistently assigned to this responsibility increases accuracy and safety. The *Six RIGHTS must always be respected when giving medications to a child. These are: The *Six RIGHTS must always be respected when giving medications to a child. These are: Right CHILD, MEDICINE, DOSE, ROUTE, Time & Documentation. Right CHILD, MEDICINE, DOSE, ROUTE, Time & Documentation.

Medication Safety Have the written health care provider’s order, the pharmacy-labeled bottle, and the parent’s written request BEFORE giving the first dose. Make sure all three documents agree with each other. Have the written health care provider’s order, the pharmacy-labeled bottle, and the parent’s written request BEFORE giving the first dose. Make sure all three documents agree with each other. Keep the medicine at the facility! Keep the medicine at the facility! When medication is sent back and forth from home to the school, it increases the risk of missed doses, lost medicine, unsafe storage, and other children accidentally taking the drug. Most pharmacies will gladly "split" the prescription at no extra charge. When medication is sent back and forth from home to the school, it increases the risk of missed doses, lost medicine, unsafe storage, and other children accidentally taking the drug. Most pharmacies will gladly "split" the prescription at no extra charge.

Medications Safety A safe and secure method of medication storage is essential. A safe and secure method of medication storage is essential. Accurate written documentation of every dose is crucial. It is also important to clearly document missed or late doses and errors! This helps prevent further mistakes and helps improve the safety and health of your children. Accurate written documentation of every dose is crucial. It is also important to clearly document missed or late doses and errors! This helps prevent further mistakes and helps improve the safety and health of your children.

Thank You for Your Participation! Please continue with Module 3 The information for this presentation came from The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care. ( ) The information for this presentation came from The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care. ( )