Meds at camp

It may be a HIPPA violation to take meds to the dining hall as there is no privacy there. Even if it is a camp, HIPPA needs to be followed. You also don't want other kids knowing who takes meds as they may pick on them and call them pyscho or ADHD.

As far as checking in meds, they should all be in their original container, then check with the parent to be sure the label is correct, then place them in a plastic bag. I put a red sticker on the baggie to mark the ones that need to be given in the next few hours so the can easily be identified. I prefer to leave meds in the original container to dispense them--less risk of error. Also have your water cups prepoured, and a worksheet with a check list of who is due according to am, lunch, dinner, and hs. ai just mark a check next to their name, and go back and chart it in the MARS later. But an hour is not long enough to process meds--perhaps the camp would agree that meds should be mailed to the infirmary one week before camp starts so they are there when the campers arrive.

Why don't the kids go to the health center for their meds?

There should be too many med questions if the drugs are in the original container with the correct directions. Our camp insists on it.

What meds need to be given at dinnertime? We hardly ever have dinner time meds.

I leave Friday to start camp on Sat. I believe HIPAA comes into play anytime you have access to medical info.
I review the campers info on Friday (all regristrations must be in proir to camp time)for red flags- serious allergies, behavior problem, serious medical condition. I then determine who else will need this info: check with kitchen food allergies, but not telling what camper; epi pen use with the dorm counslers, DM with counslers. Also on Friday we have staff meetings and I'll go over any special items then also- s/s hypogly, KEEP THE KIDS HYDRATED, etc.
I agree your time frame does not allow to setup meds, need more time. I know I will need to call at least 6-7 parents to question meds. Thank you God for cell phones as this normally is a process. Campers arrive with med info and ALL meds in original container. If info does not agree with bottle- parents receive a call. NO meds can be the dorms (Exception- inhalers, epi pen- if serious allergy and counselor holds the pen). Would not believe the meds kids come to camp (Xanax??) with and parents have no idea how they obtained the med
I was trained by nurse who did camp for multiple years and we have changed some things. Still seems the best way is to use plastic bags with the med bottle in them. We take our list and meds to every meal. Campers come to us, we normally sit at different table, so would be difficult for some to tell what med another camper is taking.
If a camper does not show we find them, but again do not tell what meds they did not take, only that the camper needs to see us.

In July I will be doing my first crack at camp nursing, for a 3 week session of middle schoolers. The other nurse was there last year, and in talking to her, it sounds like they do the exact same thing, as far as taking the meds to the dining hall, then apparrently they call the kids up through a PA system by cabin or dorm. I am nervous and excited and praying for nothing terrible to happen!

I did camp nursing for 10 years. One of the camps that I worked at had me eat my meal 30 minutes earlier than the camp, so that campers could stop by the health room on their way to eating or on the way out of the dining hall to get their meds. It worked quite well. I'd hate to give out meds in a dining hall. With all of the talking, chattering and eating, there seems to be a good possibility of making an error.

Our camp had 15 min passing time between meals and med time. I only had 1 camper needing meds before dinner and lunch. Breakfast and bedtime med pass had more time, which was when the majority of the meds were. Campers stopped by the health center. I got my heavy meds made into cups which I labeled w/ camper name. The rest were in ziplock bags by age group w/ camper name on it and I just grabbed their bag when they got there.