Stocking OTC meds at elementary school level

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Taking a poll here- How many of you do NOT keep a stock of OTC meds for students? I ASSumed all schools did, but I'm noticing some do not- they have the parents bring in a supply if needed.

We have always provided them and it seems to be getting out of hand with certain kids/ parents who will not provide an OTC med at home before school telling them "just go see the nurse she has plenty to give."

Just looking for some pros/ cons I guess.

Thank you!:happy:

I don't think you should dispense the OTC medication, but do you have education sheets that talk about how much to give their child based on weight? That way when the parent picks up the child, you can give them a sheet with the proper amount of tylenol/motrin to be given based on weight?

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I stock it, but the medications that are OTC are mostly for the staff, and other things like ointments and creams, I always call parents to ask for permission or look in their charts (I made sure to ask about medication allergies in my paperwork.) But mostly, I don't give medications to students unless I have doctor's orders.

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Specializes in School nursing.
I love this comment. And often (with high schoolers anyway) they've already taken something at home and it either hasn't had time to work or it's not going to....I try to ask how much medication was taken at home and when before I give whatever the parent brought me to dose their kid with. The total recommended no more than 3 grams of Tylenol daily isn't that much, especially since most of my parents bring me the XS version and say the kid can have two at a time.

This is why I am also taking the time to talk OTC meds with my seniors. They have no clue about max dosages and especially about not mixing acetaminophen with alcohol despite it being on the label of bottle.

I give out more OTCs than I wish, sometimes. Like I said, double edged sword as I rarely use them myself, to be honest. But I have students that will return 3-4 times unless medicated. It can stink, especially if I discover it is because that it what a parent does or the student does on their own at home. At least I can follow correct dosing here.

And I stock regular strength acetaminophen, with orders only up to 650 mg thankfully.

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We are a small PK-12 school. We do have stock meds but in order for a kid to get anything (including abx ointment) I must have an order written by a HCP and signed by the parent. Even for cough drops. I can't tell you how many times I've explained this to students and parents. I don't give out many meds, it's not my first intervention, but it is nice to have meds for cramps, or a headache. Then they can rest for a bit and go back to learning.

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No stock meds here!!! Only Benadryl and Epi for EMERGENCIES ONLY.

With 1300 whiney whiners at my campus and teachers thinking everything needs immediate attention, I would be bombarded!!!

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Specializes in School health, Maternal-Newborn.

In my state you have to have HCP orders and parental permission for tylenol and the like, Cough drops seem to vary by school, although I don't know why. One school is frighteningly loose with this policy and I had a parent mad because I wouldn't administer abx to her LO. She hadn't gotten a written order which she could have easily asked for when she got the Rx, She went to the principal who did it instead...I'm not thrilled with the compromise but at least it's not MY LICENCE. The part that drives me craziest is how in some schools I am not to apply so much as hand lotion and in others this is going on.

I got otc orders for my kids and this year the school is providing. It's also hard in my area to track down 325mg tylenol, they're all 500mg.

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Specializes in School nursing.
In my state you have to have HCP orders and parental permission for tylenol and the like, Cough drops seem to vary by school, although I don't know why. One school is frighteningly loose with this policy and I had a parent mad because I wouldn't administer abx to her LO. She hadn't gotten a written order which she could have easily asked for when she got the Rx, She went to the principal who did it instead...I'm not thrilled with the compromise but at least it's not MY LICENCE. The part that drives me craziest is how in some schools I am not to apply so much as hand lotion and in others this is going on.

I got otc orders for my kids and this year the school is providing. It's also hard in my area to track down 325mg tylenol, they're all 500mg.

Does your state require a written order for antibiotics given for 10 days or less? I can give those based on prescription label - medication must be packaged in original prescription bottle with detailed instructions. Often the parent will also sent in the pharmacy slip for me as well. If medication needs to be given for more than 7 days, I get an order. This saves me so much time!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, CCU and School Nurse.

I am the only nurse for our district (PK-12). We do stock Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen & TUMS, but we also require a permit signed by PCP and parents for ANY medication.

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Anything with an active ingredient listed requires doctor's orders, or the parent can come to school and administer it.

I used to buy peppermints to give out for sore throats-- until a little one choked on one of them. :no:

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Does your state require a written order for antibiotics given for 10 days or less? I can give those based on prescription label - medication must be packaged in original prescription bottle with detailed instructions. Often the parent will also sent in the pharmacy slip for me as well. If medication needs to be given for more than 7 days, I get an order. This saves me so much time!

We don't need a doctor's note for any prescription medication, they consider the pharmacy label the physician's order. We do need it for any otc's though.

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