Medication Management at Camp

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

ACA Campline Articles:

Medication at Camp: Mitigating the Risks

by Linda E. Erceg, RN, MS

Medication at camp is not a new topic; however, information about medication oversight in the camp setting is sporifice. Most camps delegate this responsibility to their camp physician and/or nurse with the assumption that what these professionals do "must be right." Such an assumption neglects to consider that a physician or nurse can only effectively manage camp medications if given the parameters under which that oversight should occur. This article discusses some of those parameters. It is provided to help camp administrators be more effective in mitigating risks associated with the decision to have medications at camp and to encourage a review of camp medication policies.

Managing, Monitoring, and Administering Medications at Camp 5/2000by Mary Marugg, RN

Who should manage medication in camp?

The credential an individual must hold to manage medications at camp is state specific. Medication management decisions are influenced by pharmacy regulations, the State's Nurse Practice Act, the physician's regulatory body and/or regulations for ancillary healthcare providers (e.g. EMT's) used by the camp. Usually a physician is the only one who can determine what medication is to be used, and under what circumstances. A physician can delegate medication decision-making to a registered nurse through medical protocols.

Camps without a physician or RN on site should have health care policies and procedures, reviewed by a physician or registered nurse, that specify medication management procedures consistent with the level of training of the health care provider. Treatment procedures, including use of over-the-counter remedies for common illnesses and injuries, must be reviewed annually by a licensed physician.

Staff Prescription Medication 1/03

An Interview with Mary Marugg; Linda Ebner Erceg, R.N., M.S., P.H.N.; and Stuart Weinberg, M.D.

The concerns for staff privacy and camp safety are addressed in the issue of how to store, handle, and document the use of prescription medication by staff members who are eighteen or older. When staff bring medication from home, how are camps preserving the staff member's privacy and still insuring the safety and security of all camp residents -other staff and campers, as well? In the following discussion, three camp health-care experts share how their respective camps are handling this concern.

[TLSpaz, ASN, RN]

Thanks for this post! We are sending our boys to camp for the very first time this summer. In fact, we are dropping them off this evening. One of my sons takes a Schedule II psychtropic med, and both boys take an OTC allergy med. This post helps me to focus on what questions to ask when we in-process.

[LeeTrainor]

We use regular paper lunch bags to store each campers meds indivdually They are labled with last name first name with a sharpee on both sides of the bags. We line them up in alphabetical order. The names are exposed but not the meds. The campersa know who on meds because they lie up to at med times. We try our best to give meds to each camper without the others intruding. One child. Told us since he is home schooled he never lines up single file anywhere else. I encourage bubble packing if possible we try and work with the counselors to get the meds done at the correct times. Last year a child had to be hospitalized because he missed so many meds. This year was 100% compliance. Even with 700 campers and 2 Nurses! We remind the counselor's by texting them.

[LeeTrainor]

Staff meds, prescription or not also need to be in a locked place. We provide paper lunch bags for storage and easy access on a top cabinet shelf for adults. However, this ear we did have a problem with one counselor's meds missing. We will have to review our policy for next year.

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

So the campers just grab the bag with their name and take the medications? Or are handed the bag by the nurse?

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

[toomuchbaloney]

We used a similar method for a large music camp.

The students selected their bag and we observed them taking their meds. They were high school students.

First day I called names and handed bags as I did not know many of the faces.

[Thimbalina]

We put them in a large see through baggie with their names, units, and gave them to the 'med counselors' to hold until needed as in albuterol inhaler or epi pen. The med counselor documented use on a med sheet and kept meds in a red back pack that was locked… The med counselor followed the campers everywhere so was always available in an emergency. At the start of the week I went over the health history and considerations with the med counselor. Certain meds I kept locked up in the health center and could only be administered by me (Ritalin for example). I would also call in each camper that required meds and would go over it with them so I had their little face on my mind and could remember who was who and who needed what… (during health check in for feet, temp and lice checks). Other meds like injectable growth hormones would need refrigeration so would bring me the camper each night. Used Excel to make a spreadsheet of entire camp health needs and could then edit per camp and per need i.e. dietary. Lots of work to prep for the week… but good way to organize. Gave each med counselor a copy for their group which they shared with the other counselors to keep track of food allergies et… and specific needs of campers. Parents had to send original packaging and original containers with doctors order for prescription. I stayed in close contact with the meds counselor for certain high risk kids… had one type 1 diabetic, and a girl with CF I had to give neb treatments to. It was hectic but then pretty easy once I got the rhythm of each week. Other kids had food allergies but would crave the very thing they were allergic to with a tendency to sneak it. It was a team effort to have a safe summer with no anaphylaxis or other major mishap. :) glad it's over. lol