I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to set forth the provisions that must be followed when administering medication to students at school.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT
The school district acknowledges that some students may require prescribed drugs or medication during the school day. The school district's licensed school nurse, trained health assistant, building administrator, teacher or other trained staff will administer prescribed medications, except any form of medical cannabis, in accordance with law and school district procedures.
III. REQUIREMENTS
A. The administration of prescription medication or drugs at school requires a completed, signed request from the student's parent(s)/guardian(s). An oral request must be reduced to writing within two school days, provided that the school district may rely on an oral request until a written request is received. Please refer to Administrative Procedures 516.1: Administering Medications in School and 516.3: Administering Prescribed Medical Procedures and Treatments in School, and 516.4: Provider's Order of Prescribed Services (PPS).
B. Administration of prescription medication by school personnel must be done according to the written order of a licensed prescriber and the written authorization of a parent or guardian (refer to Administrative Procedure 516.3: Administering Prescribed Medical Procedures and Treatments in School). Prescription medication as used in this policy does not include any form of medical cannabis as defined in Minn. Stat. 152.22, Subd. 6. Nonprescription medications do not require a prescriber's signature but do require a parent or guardian's signature. The "Medication Request Form" (Administrative Procedure 516.2) for the administration of medication is available at the building administrator's office or health office of each school. A medication form must be completed annually (once per school year) and/or when a change in the prescription or requirements for administration occurs.
C. Prescription medication must be brought to school in the original container labeled for the student by a pharmacist in accordance with law and administered in a manner consistent with the instructions on the label. Medication that may be purchased without a prescription must be brought to school in the original container labeled with the student's name and dosage.
D. The school nurse may request to receive further information about the prescription, if needed, prior to administration of the medication.
E. Prescription medications are not to be carried by the student but will be left with the appropriate school district personnel. Exceptions to this requirement are prescription asthma medications self-administered with an inhaler (see Part K.4 below), epinephrine autoinjectors (Part K.7), and medications administered as noted in a written agreement between the school district and the parent or as specified in an IEP (Individualized Education Program), Section 504 plan, or IHP (Individual Health Plan).
F. The school must be notified immediately by the parent or student 18 years old or older in writing of any change in the student's prescription medication administration. A new medical authorization and container label with new pharmacy instructions shall be required immediately as well.
G. For drugs or medicine used by children with a disability, administration may be as provided in the IEP, section 504 plan, or IHP.
H. The school nurse, or other designated person, shall be responsible for the filing of the Administering Prescription Medications form in the health records section of the student file. The school nurse, or other designated person, shall be responsible for providing a copy of such forms to the principal and to other personnel designated to administer the medication.
I. Procedures for administration of drugs and medicine at school and school activities shall be developed in consultation with a school nurse, a licensed school nurse, or a public or private health organization or other appropriate party (if appropriately contracted by the school district under Minnesota Statutes section 121A.21). The school district administration shall submit these procedures and any additional guidelines and procedures necessary to implement this policy to the school board for approval. Upon approval by the school board, such guidelines and procedures shall be addendum to. this policy.
J. If the administration of a drug or medication described in this section requires the school district to store the drug or medication, the parent or legal guardian must inform the school if the drug or medication is a controlled substance. For a drug or medication that is not a controlled substance, the request must include a provision designating the school district as an authorized entity to transport the drug or medication for the purpose of destruction if any unused drug or medication remains in the possession of school personnel. For a drug or medication that is a controlled substance, the request must specify that the parent or legal guardian is required to retrieve the drug or controlled substance when requested by the school.
K. The administration of medication to students on field trips and during extracurricular activities shall be done as follows:
1. If the student is to self-administer medication, the same procedure shall be in effect as for the regular school day.
2. Any medication to be administered to a student while on a field trip or during extracurricular activities will be kept in the possession of staff assigned to administer the medication and accompanying a student on the trip.
3. All medication must be clearly marked with the student's name, the medication name, and directions as to the dosage, time and method of administration.
L. For each student whose health condition requires prescribed emergency medication, a written Emergency Plan will be formulated by the parent, student, teacher, and licensed school nurse. The plan shall include the written order of the student's physician and should identify which trained school personnel can give emergency medication to the student.
M. Procedures for administration of drugs and medicine at school and school activities shall be developed in consultation with the licensed school nurse. Such guidelines and procedures shall be an addendum to this policy.
N. Specific Exceptions:
1. Special health treatments such as catheterization, tracheostomy suctioning, and gastrostomy feeding do not constitute administration of drugs or medicine. Such treatments are delegated medical functions. The treatments require a physician's written order, written parent permission and should be included in the student's Individualized Health Plan.
2. Emergency health procedures, including emergency administration of drugs and medicine, are not subject to this policy;
3. Drugs or medicine provided or administered by a public health agency to prevent or control an illness or a disease outbreak are not governed by this policy;
4. Drugs or medicines used at school in connection with services for which a minor may give effective consent are not governed by this policy;
5. Medicines that are prescription asthma or reactive airway disease medications can be self-administered by a student with an asthma inhaler if:
a. the school district has received written authorization from the pupil's parent and prescriber permitting the student to self-administer the medication;
b. the inhaler is properly labeled for that student; and
c. the parent has not requested school personnel to administer the medication to the student.
The parent must submit written authorization for the student to self-administer the medication each school year.
The school nurse or other appropriate party must assess the student's knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting and enter into the student's school health record a plan to implement safe possession and use of asthma inhalers if the prescriber has not already assessed and documented this.
6. Medications:
a. that are used off school grounds;
b. that are used in connection with athletics or extracurricular activities; or
c. that are used in connection with activities that occur before or after the regular school day are not governed by this policy.
7. Nonprescription Medications: A secondary student may possess and use nonprescription pain relief in a manner consistent with the labeling if the school district has received written authorization from the student’s parent or guardian permitting the student to self-administer the medication. The parent or guardian must submit written authorization for the student to self-administer the medication each school year. The school district may revoke the student’s privilege to possess and use nonprescription pain relievers if the school district determines that the student is abusing the privilege. This provision does not apply to the possession or use of any drug or product containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine as its sole active ingredient or as one of its active ingredients. Except as stated in this paragraph, only prescription medications are governed by this policy.
8. At the start of each school year or at the time a student enrolls in school, whichever is first, a student’s parent, school staff, including those responsible for student health care, and prescribing medical professional must develop and implement an individualized written health plan for a student who is prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors that enable the student to:
a. the student may possess epinephrine; or
b. if the parent and prescribing medical professional determine the student is unable to possess the epinephrine, have immediate access to epinephrine in close proximity to the student at all times during the instructional day.
9. A student may possess and apply a topical sunscreen product during the school day while on school property or at a school-sponsored event without a prescription, physician's note, or other documentation from a licensed healthcare professional. School personnel are not required to provide sunscreen or assist students in applying sunscreen.
The plan must designate the school staff responsible for implementing the student’s health plan, including recognizing anaphylaxis and administering epinephrine auto-injectors when required, consistent with state law. This health plan may be included in a student’s 504 plan.
O. "Parent" for students 18 years old or older is the student.
P. Districts and schools may obtain and possess epinephrine auto-injectors to be maintained and administered by school personnel to a student or other individual if, in good faith, it is determined that person is experiencing anaphylaxis regardless of whether the student or other individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector. The administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with this section is not the practice of medicine.
Q. Procedure regarding unclaimed drugs or medications will be provided in Administrative Procedure 532.5.
Legal References:
Minn. Stat. 13.32 (Educational Health Data)
Minn. Stat. 121A.21 (Hiring of Health Personnel)
Minn. Stat. 121A.22 (Administration of Drugs and Medicine)
Minn. Stat. 121A.221 (Possession and Use of Asthma Inhalers by Asthmatic Students)
Minn. Stat. 121A.222 (Possession and Use of Nonprescription Pain Relievers by Secondary Students)
Minn. Stat. 121A.2205 (Possession and Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors: Model Policy)
Minn. Stat. 121A.2207 (Life Threatening Allergies in Schools; Stock Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors)
Minn. Stat. 151.212 (Label of Prescription Drug Containers)
Minn. Stat. 152.01 (Definitions)
Minn. Stat. 152.22 (Definitions)
Minn. Stat. 152.23 (Limitations)
20.U.S.C. 1400, et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004)
29 U.S.C. 794 et seq. (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 504)
Cross References:
Moorhead School Board Policy 572: Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
MSBA/MASE Model Policy 516 (Student Medication)