Medication Storage

[cmh1118, BSN]

Does anyone have a pic of how they store their meds?

I have 403 kids PreK-8.

2 hemophiliacs, 2 epileptics, 22 Epi Pens. Around 10 asthma inhalers. The rest is OTC meds, topical, etc.

I work at a private Catholic school and we cannot apply or administer anything at all without MD orders. So it all ends up in my office.

Do you store them separately based on their use, or all alphabetically? For the past few years I’ve just used bins and put them individually in ziploc bags. Then each box holds A-G, H-K, etc. I keep all my Epipens and Diastat in an emergency box so I don’t have to sort through bins. The hemo emergency meds are in my fridge.

I’m curious how you keep yours organized and easily accessible!! Thanks for any tips.

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

My meds are in bins. I have them labeled Daily Meds, As Needed Meds, Emergency Meds. Inside each bin the medication goes in its own ziploc bag with the students name birthdate.

[BettyGirard, BSN]

I have a locked cabinet and use the ZipLoc-style boxes about the size of a small shoebox. I put the drugs/syringes/meters in there along with a copy of the orders. I write the student's name with sharpie on the edge.

[BeckyESRN]

I have tons of cabinet space, so I realize this may not work for everyone! I have each student's med (one cabinet for daily, the other PRN)in a bin from dollar tree (blue for inhalers, red for epi, green for other) labeled on the front with initials, teacher initial, grade, and expiration date. Inside the bin has a card with full name, DOB, picture, and instructions on administration, along with the med count.

Another fantastic alternative I've seen is an over the door shoe organizer, with each pocket labeled and color coded by grade.

[MamaWifeNurse]

I keep all medications, signed orders, and action plans in a 1" 3 ring binder, one binder per student. Medications I keep in a zip lock pencil pouch inside the binder. I have the outside of the binder labeled with students name. I also use foil stars to color code: red for epi-pens/allergies, blue for asthma, silver for asthma pump spacers, green for seizures, and gold for daily medications. I keep the spacers in plastic bags in an a liquor bottle container with dividers that I picked up from the liquor store. (I covered it with pretty paper.) I arrange the binders by alphabetical order by last name.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I have a red Craftsman rolling cart with locking drawers (hubs is jealous). Top drawer is daily meds organized by time.

Second is PRN meds. Third is emergency meds. Good luck!

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

On 8/5/2019 at 11:53 AM, ruby_jane said:

I have a red Craftsman rolling cart with locking drawers (hubs is jealous). Top drawer is daily meds organized by time.

Second is PRN meds. Third is emergency meds. Good luck!

I'M JEALOUS TOOOOOO!

[CampyCamp, RN]

I keep inhalers, spacers, and epi pens in a clear over the door shoe bag that is in a shallow supply closet that can lock. I put a card in each pocket with a name. At least that's what I did. This year we will have a different office while a new wing is being built and I think I'll lock everything in my filing cabinet. Each class has a drawer and 3/4 which will leave room. I think.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Epi pens and inhaler in a shoe hanger I got from Ikea.

Daily meds/other PRNS I have a coded locked medication bin that I also store in a locked filing cabinet drawer. I don't mess with ADHD meds, lol. Inside this box, is the labeled prescription bottles, but I actually also keep weekly pill boxes for my daily med students to help me track students and who has/hasn't had a medication. Each weekly box is labeled with three identifiers and I fill it every Friday after school for the next week. I also do it this way in case I am suddenly sick. Low chance I will get a nursing sub on short notice, so will delegate to one of two admins trained on campus and they can pop into my office, grab this box and take it on the go if needed and medication will still be secure.

Med orders are in file folder alphabetized, right next to my health emergency cards (each grade has their own folder) on top of my medication file cabinet.