View Policy / Procedure

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 or telehealth 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. DRUG AND MEDICATION REQUIREMENTS

A. Administration of Drugs and Medicine

1. The administration of 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).

2. Drugs and medicine subject to Minnesota Statutes, 121A.22 must be administered, to the extent possible, according to school board procedures that must be developed in consultation with:

a. with a licensed nurse, in a district that employs a licensed nurse under Minnesota Statutes, section 148.171;

b. with a licensed school nurse, in a district that employs a licensed school nurse licensed under Minnesota Rules, part 8710.6100;

c. with a public or private health-related organization, in a district that contracts with a public or private health or health-related organization, according to Minnesota Statutes, 121A.21; or

d. with the appropriate party, in a district that has an arrangement approved by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education, according to Minnesota Statutes, 121A.21.

3. Exclusions

The provisions on administration of drugs and medicine above do not apply to drugs or medicine that are: 

a. purchased without a prescription;

b. used by a pupil who is 18 years old or older;

c. used in connection with services for which a minor may give effective consent;

d. used in situations in which, in the judgment of the school personnel, including a licensed nurse, who are present or available, the risk to the pupil’s life or health is of such a nature that drugs or medicine should be given without delay;

e. used off the school grounds;

f. used in connection with athletics or extracurricular activities;

g. used in connection with activities that occur before or after the regular school day;

h. provided or administered by a public health agency to prevent or control an illness or a disease outbreak as provided under Minnesota law;

i. prescription asthma or reactive airway disease medications can be self-administered by a student with an asthma inhaler if:

1. the school district has received a written authorization each school year from the pupil’s parent permitting the student to self-administer the medication;

2. the inhaler is properly labeled for that student; and

3.  the parent has not requested school personnel to administer the medication to the student.

In a school that does not have a school nurse or school nursing services, the student’s parent or guardian must submit written verification from the prescribing professional which documents that an assessment of the student’s knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting has been completed.

If the school district employs a school nurse or provides school nursing services under another arrangement, 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.

j. epinephrine auto-injectors, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.2205, if the parent and prescribing medical professional annually inform the pupil's school in writing that

1. the pupil may possess the epinephrine or 

2. the pupil is unable to possess the epinephrine and requires immediate access to epinephrine auto-injectors that the parent provides properly labeled to the school for the pupil as needed.

k. For the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, 121A.22, special health treatments and health functions, such as catheterization, tracheostomy suctioning, and gastrostomy feedings, do not constitute administration of drugs or medicine.

l. Emergency health procedures, including emergency administration of drugs and medicine are not subject to this policy.

B. Prescription Medication

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. The school nurse may request to receive further information about the prescription, if needed, prior to administration of the medication.

4. 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 Paragraph III.A.3(i) above), 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).

Legal References:
Minn. Stat. 13.32 (Educational Health Data)
Minn. Stat. 121A.21 (School Health Services)
Minn. Stat. 121A.216 (Access to Space for Mental Health Care through Telehealth) 
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.223 (Possession and Use of Sunscreen)
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. 148.171 (Definitions; Title)
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)