Skip to content

Policy 561: Administering Medications

The board recognizes that students attending the schools in the district may be required to take medication while at school or school sponsored activities, either on a short-term or daily basis.  If requested in writing by the parent/guardian, the school will provide an appropriate place for storing the medication and will supervise the dispensing of the medication.

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:

“Administer” means, for purposes of use of epinephrine auto-injectors, the direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual.  Administer also means to apply a medication by injection, inhalation, ingestion or other means, to the body of a person by a licensed school nurse or other licensed health care practitioner, or their trained designee.

“Designated school personnel” means an employee, agent, or volunteer of a school designated by the building principal or designee who has completed training to provide or administer an epinephrine auto-injector or other medication to a student.

“Epinephrine auto-injector” means a device that automatically injects a premeasured dose of epinephrine.

“Medication” means an epinephrine auto-injector, a metered-dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler or insulin prescribed by a physician and having an individual label.  Medication also includes over-the-counter or prescription drugs, including but not limited to seizure rescue medications, that may be administered to students in accordance with this policy.

“Self-administration” means a student’s use of medication, an epinephrine auto-injector, or of blood glucose monitoring supplies pursuant to prescription or written direction from a physician.  With respect to epinephrine auto-injectors, “self-administration” also means a student or other person’s discretionary use of an epinephrine auto-injector, whether provided by the student, a school nurse, or other designated school personnel.

STOCK SUPPLY AND ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS

In accordance with applicable Idaho law, schools within the district may obtain a prescription for a stock supply of epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of the school to be used in accordance with this policy.  The board authorizes school nurses and trained, designated personnel to do the following:

1.   Provide an epinephrine auto-injector to a student to self-administer in accordance with a prescription specific to the student on file with the school nurse;

2.   Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a student in accordance with a prescription specific to the student on file with the school nurse; and

3.   Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to any student or other individual on school premises that the school nurse or designated personnel in good faith believes is experiencing anaphylaxis regardless of whether the student or other individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector.

Each school that maintains a stock supply and administers epinephrine auto-injectors in accordance with this policy is required to submit a report of each incident at the school or school-related event involving a severe allergic reaction or the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector to the board or its designee.

TRAINING

The superintendent, school nurse, or other designee is authorized to establish standards for training programs that must be completed by designated school staff in order to administer epinephrine auto-injectors, emergency or rescue medications for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders, or other medications as provided in a student’s individual health plan.  Such training may be provided online and, at a minimum, will cover:

1.   Techniques on how to recognize the symptoms or indicators of (i) severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis; and (ii) epilepsy and seizure disorders.

2.   Standards and procedures for the storage, administration, and disposal of epinephrine auto-injectors and emergency medications for epilepsy and seizure disorders.

3.   Emergency first-aid and follow-up procedures.

SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

  1. Any student for whom a physician or other authorized medical professional has prescribed (1) a metered-dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler for treatment of asthma or other potentially life-threatening respiratory illness (2) an epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis); (3) insulin; or (4) blood glucose monitoring supplies will be permitted to possess and self-administer such medication, as prescribed by a physician, during the school day and at school-sponsored activities.
  2. When a student is unable to self-administer medication, school personnel may administer requested medication. School personnel may administer requested medication, as determined appropriate.
  3. The student’s parent/guardian should annually notify the student’s school, in writing, that the student will be self-administering the medication.
  4. The student’s parent/guardian should provide annually a current treatment plan from the student’s health care provider identifying the medication; dosage; symptoms, time lapse, or exposure that will necessitate administering the medication; frequency of use; andpotential side effects.  The student’s parent/guardian should also provide actions to take in the event of an emergency, including if the medication does not improve the student’s breathing or allergic reaction.  If applicable, a list of the student’s asthma triggers or allergies should also be provided.
  5. The parent may be requested to sign a release to allow district staff to communicate directly with the health care provider.
  6. The parent/guardian is responsible for notifying the district of any changes to the student’s medical condition that would impact the self-administration of medication.
  7. A student who is self-administering medication consistent with this policy may be required to maintain a current duplicate of the prescription medication or blood glucose monitoring supplies with the school administrator or designee.
  8. Students who require blood glucose testing or insulin injections for the management and treatment of diabetes during the school day or at school-sponsored activities, will be permitted to perform such testing, self-administer insulin, and otherwise attend to the care and management of the student’s diabetes in accordance with this policy.  In practicing self-administration and diabetes monitoring, students are required to practice universal precautions for the disposal of waste. 
  9. Parent/guardian of the student shall sign a statement acknowledging that the District shall incur no liability and that the parent/guardian shall indemnify and hold harmless the District and its employees or agents against any claims as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication by the student.

SELF-MONITORING AND TREATMENT OF DIABETES

Elementary, Middle/Junior High School Students

Students will complete blood glucose testing and insulin injections in the health room under the supervision of personnel unless otherwise agreed in the student’s health plan by the school administrator or designee.  Approval of monitoring and treatment outside of the health room will be based on relevant considerations, including but not limited to, the age and maturity of the child, the ability to self-administer, understanding and practice of universal precautions, and adherence to diabetes management plan.  The student’s health plan will document whether the student can independently manage diabetes treatment and monitoring, and how the school nurse, student and parent/guardian will continue to work together.

High School Students

Students may self-administer blood glucose testing and insulin injections.  In practicing self-administration, students are required to practice universal precautions for the disposal of waste.

EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE DISORDER PLANS

The district will develop and follow individual health plans for students with epilepsy and seizure disorder in accordance with Policy 558 – Accommodating Students with Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy.  School employees who interact with a student with epilepsy or seizure disorder will be informed of the student’s health plan and provided with information about how to recognize indicators and first aid for epilepsy and seizure disorders, when to call for assistance, and parent/guardian and emergency contact information for that student.

OTHER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

No employee except a qualified health care professional or trained and or designated school personnel may administer a drug to a student under this section except in an emergency. 

NON-PRESCRIPTION (OVER-THE-COUNTER) MEDICATIONS

  1. Except as otherwise provided herein, the parent/guardian must request in writing that non-prescription medication be given during school hours. Specific directions for administering the medication and the parent’s/guardian’s signature must be received before any medication will be given to the student.
  2. The medication must be in the original container and the student’s name and directions for administering the medication must be written on the container.
  3. Students in grades 6-12 may carry one (1) dose of ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other non-prescription strength medication at school and school-sponsored activities without written parental permission.

HANDLING AND STORAGE OF MEDICINES

  1. The parent/guardian must submit a written request to the school if he or she wants the school to store and/or administer the medication.  Herbal medications and non-FDA approved medications, including but not limited to any dietary supplement, lotion or other product containing CBD, shall not be stored or administered.
  2. The medication must be in its original container.
  3. The student’s name, prescription number, prescribing doctor, and directions for administering the medication must be clearly set forth on the container. Medications which are not properly labeled will not be administered.
  4. Except as provided in this policy for self-administering medications, all medications shall be stored and locked in a specific location not accessible to students. Only designated personnel shall have access to the medication. Medication which needs to be accessible to the student will be stored in an appropriate location per student’s needs.
  5. For field trips and other extracurricular activities held off school premises, student medication will be stored in a secure location determined appropriate by the activity supervisor, keeping in mind the manufacturer’s or health care practitioner’s storage instructions.
  6. Medications will be stored to maintain quality in accordance with the manufacturer’s or health care practitioner’s storage instructions.  Medications requiring refrigeration shall be stored at 36 oF to 46oF.
  7. Parents may send daily doses of medication with the student. If larger quantities are preferred, no more than a 90day supply may be brought to school by the parent/guardian and stored at the school.
  8. Parent/guardian shall be asked to pick up any medication that remains at school at the end of the school year or upon dismissal of the student.
  9. Any medications that are expired and/or remain at school after the student has been withdrawn will be disposed of in a safe and proper manner after 30 days.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

  1. Generally, medications should be dispensed to students before and/or after school hours under the supervision of the parent/guardian.  Medications should only be dispensed at school when necessary to meet the health needs of the student.
  2. Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school, in writing, that the student requires medication on a regular or emergency basis and supplying the medications and instructions for dispensing the medications.
  3. The district may require that the student’s health care provider annually submit a current treatment plan, identifying the medication, dosage, frequency of use, and side effects.  The parent may be requested to sign a release to allow district staff to communicate with the health care provider.
  4. The student’s need for medication will be reviewed by the school nurse or designee, and a student health plan and/or a Section 504 Accommodation Plan will be developed, if determined necessary.
  5. The school nurse or designee who dispenses medication to students will maintain a log of all medications dispensed.
  6. All medications that are not self-administered will be kept in a secured area in the school office or nurse’s room.
  7. It is the student’s responsibility to come to the office at the appropriate time to take his or her medication, unless the student’s plan states otherwise.
  8. No medications, prescription or non-prescription, will be dispensed by a teacher, secretary, or other personnel to a student without written permission from the student’s parent/guardian.
  9. Any medication that a student must have in case of emergency will be kept in an easily accessible location.
  10. The parent/guardian is expected to provide an adequate supply of the medication to be dispensed, and to retrieve any unused medication at the end of the school year or at the withdrawal of the student.  Medication that is not retrieved by the parent/guardian by the student’s last day of attendance during the school year will be disposed of by the district.

EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES

In an emergency situation, such as anaphylactic reaction or the risk of such reaction, opioid overdose, or seizure, the properly trained designee may administer emergency medication to any student in need thereof while at school or school sponsored activities.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

No district policy or guidelines shall be interpreted to limit or detract from the immunities and other limitations on liability available under the law to nurses and other persons who engage in or assist with the administration of medication to students, regardless of whether authorization was provided by the student’s parent/guardian or medical provider, provided that the actions of school personnel in administering or providing medication were reasonable under the circumstances.  The liability protections do not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, or those that are reckless or constitute willful and wanton behavior.

    ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

    LEGAL REFERENCE:

    Idaho Code Sections

                33-506(1) – Organization and Government of Board of Trustees

    33-512(4) – Governance of Schools (health and safety of students)

    33-520 – Policy Governing Medical Inhalers, Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, Insulin and Blood Glucose Monitoring Supplies

    33-520A – Life-Threatening Allergies in Schools

    54-1401 – Purpose – License Required – Representation to the Public (Nurse Practice Act)

    57-1733B – Opioid Antagonists

    IDAPA 08.02.03.160.01.a.i – Rules Governing Student Health Policies

    CROSS-REFERENCE:

    Accommodating Students with Seizure Disorder or Epilepsy #558

    Food Allergies #559

    Health Records and Emergency Care #564

    Use of Naloxone by School Personnel #982

    Bloodborne Pathogens #990

    ADOPTED:   July 16, 2024                            

    561F1 (Emergency Epinephrine Administration Reporting Form)

    561F2 (Authorization for Self-Administration of Medication)

    561F3 (Authorization for Administration of Medication)