Can I scream?

pugmomrn · Mar 16, 2009

yes!!!! scream!!!!!!!!!!

bergren · Mar 16, 2009

The school district's attorney would take serious issue with staff dispensing medication. You might provide legal information about giving children medication without parent permission and data on ibuprophen and Steven Johnson Syndrome:

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/05_motrin_sjs.htm

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

or cry, whatever....

just found out one of the staff here has been giving students ibuprofen. i've sent out i don't know how many notes about not giving students medication since that's considered prescribing or dispensing medication!!!!!!!
why the hell am i even here when the staff thinks they can do anything and i have no support from administration???

i would throw the biggest "hissey fit" that anyone has ever seen. i can't believe that your principal doesn't raise an eyebrow to this. it is totally unacceptable and probably illegal. :banghead: how stupid is this teacher. scarey !!

praiser :heartbeat

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2009

I would definitely contact the board of ed, this is illegal and something needs to be done to maintain the children's safety.

It would be a cold day in hell before I'll ever let staff administer meds with or with out a doc order, its unsafe and My kiddos come first !

I just can't believe this, ( shakin my head)

Jarnaes · Mar 16, 2009

The problem is that most non-medical people see no harm in giving someone a Motrin. I would educate the principal/administration on the legal liabilities that they would incur should a student have a reaction to any OTC med given to students by a staff member.

I'm pretty sure the local community would have several attorneys salivating over this case, since the school district may have to put a lot of zeroes on that check...

Aneroo, LPN · Mar 17, 2009

Thanks everyone. I cooled down a little bit and then sent out an email to staff. I just hope the ones who need to read it do! There was only one person I saw yesterday who did it, and I don't want her to think I'm singling her out, but have no doubt other staff are doing it as well.

I've recevied several emails from staff thanking me for that email. I reminded the staff that just because they're OTC meds, I have an order from a physician and have certain things to assess before giving meds. I said it helps me track how often they're seeing me for a headache, so I might catch on if there is something serious happening. I mentioned students with allergies, and that a parent would be quick to deny that permission was ever given, where it's documented if given in here. I reminded that just because it's OTC doesn't mean it isn't without harm, shared a story along the lines of "Don't know how many people I've seen in the ER with accidental overdoses because they took too much tylenol and killed their liver in turn". I forgot I'd touch a nerve with that one- one of my teachers almost lost his sister due to an accidental tylenol OD that caused liver failure. He was one thanking me. :)

I cc'd the student services coordinator and my boss so they know I am trying to keep an eye on this and they know it is still an issue.