A Question About Standing Orders

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

For those that have OTC meds available to students, do you have standing orders and parent consent forms?

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Yes and yes.

The parent consent for OTC meds in included on our health form. They can check boxes for ibuprofen/acetaminophen/antacid/benadryl/topical hydrocortisone.

[CrazySchoolNurse, LPN]

I am at a private school with no affiliation with a clinic/ doctor. I was asked about keeping OTC meds. Could anyone tell me how I could go about this? I was asked to ask one of the parents if they be willing to do a standing order.

Currently what is being done: Every student who's parents want them to have medication here at the school must supply an unopened bottle and a prescription form that both parent and doctor has to sign in order for it to be valid. Only exception is short term prescriptions must be in the pharmacy bottle with script label.

Thoughts? Concerns? Liability?

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

4 hours ago, msilcox said:

I am at a private school with no affiliation with a clinic/ doctor. I was asked about keeping OTC meds. Could anyone tell me how I could go about this? I was asked to ask one of the parents if they be willing to do a standing order.

Currently what is being done: Every student who's parents want them to have medication here at the school must supply an unopened bottle and a prescription form that both parent and doctor has to sign in order for it to be valid. Only exception is short term prescriptions must be in the pharmacy bottle with script label.

Thoughts? Concerns? Liability?

My school had no nurse before I came. I was able to call the next county over and they gave me their protocols. I got a physician whose children attended the school to sign off, but he was also the HD doc, so he would have been the person to sign off anyway. Public schools in my county have no protocols, save the state law regarding stock epi. OTCs are a blessing and a curse, as I only give them if the parents OK it in our system. It is really a hassle at times. Check with your health department, they may be your oversight.

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

thank you for the replies! I am also at a private school with no govt funds or other attached schools, so sometimes I feel a bit out in the wind. We have OTC parent consents only right now, and based on a great discussion I read on this board, I am getting MD standing orders put in place. I am new to SNing, and the parental consent was simply "how it was always done," so I thank you all for sharing your protocols and input!

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

Check with your state department of ed, things I checked with the BON were never told to me that were mandates from the DOE. I was here 5 years and my school had NO CLUE nurses were mandated, even for privates (few in my county have them) despite the school getting accredited every year.

3 hours ago, jnemartin said:

thank you for the replies! I am also at a private school with no govt funds or other attached schools, so sometimes I feel a bit out in the wind. We have OTC parent consents only right now, and based on a great discussion I read on this board, I am getting MD standing orders put in place. I am new to SNing, and the parental consent was simply "how it was always done," so I thank you all for sharing your protocols and input!

Standing orders are hard to follow through with on their own. Protocols tell you what assessment findings warrant administration and cover you should the child have a reaction.

[SchoolNurse91, BSN, RN]

My state has almost zero guidelines on school nursing. Blessing and a curse. Some districts have OTC medications and make parents sign a consent at the beginning of the year. We do not do that.