Non FDA medications and school

[cowboysandangels, BSN]

What is your district policy on NON FDA approved medications and administration in schools?

[Cattz, ADN]

That is a hard "No" if it's not FDA approved.

[Bulldogs, CNA, EMT-B]

Our policy states no if its not FDA approved.  But recently I recieved a Dr Prescription with orders to give how  would you handle that?

[Cattz, ADN]

Bulldogs said:

Our policy states no if its not FDA approved.  But recently I recieved a Dr Prescription with orders to give how  would you handle that?

I would get permission from parent to talk to the Dr about it.

Is it something that has to be given during school hours?

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

In my district, we cannot give medication that is not FDA-approved, even with doctor's orders.  As the school nurse, I have the final say as to whether I am willing to give a medication.  

[NursePals]

Same! I wouldn't do it.

[Cattz, ADN]

In my "wording"- when talking to the parent: I would make sure that I give the parent the opportunity to come to school and give the med. in question.  So that the school isn't denying the med. to the child. Because the parent has been given the opportunity to come and do it themselves. 

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

Our policy states if it is not FDA approved, that we do not administer the medication.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Many moons ago when I was a school nurse, I had this happen. A little Kinder student was brought to me along with a baggie of these brown bottles with tops like nothing I had ever seen before. The labels were hand typed, which was also odd. As I was completely out of my element, I kept the meds and called the parent. I had no idea at the time that I was about to paint a target on my back. 

Mom showed up and had a complete come apart. The child just 'had to have these meds' 4-5 times a day during school. Nothing would do but that. As it so happened, neither the main nor the vice principal was there that day and the acting principal was a coach. He and I tried in vain to explain to this woman why this was not possible nor yet even FEASIBLE but she was having none of it. When I called her, I had said that we had no documentation from the doctor and she brought with her a ripped off piece of notepaper and plonked it down on the principal's desk. "The doctor is out today, his secretary wrote that. It's good enough. This medicine has the energy of what she's allergic to in it. She could take the whole bottle at once and it wouldn't hurt her. I know you're ignorant. You just don't know." 

When she could see she was not going to get anywhere with me, she started in on the coach. And then she doubled down and said that not only was she expecting us to administer these meds, but that she was expecting them to be sent home and then brought back daily by the Kinder. 

When she finally realized that she was not getting anywhere, she stomped out. I didn't think any more about it until I was called into the office later that week and told I could have handled the situation better, though no one could tell me how, exactly. Further, it was listed on my yearly eval by the principal who wasn't even there. And the crowning indignity, several months later, the school secretary brought the Kinder back for a temp check and I told her I'd call mom. She refused to let me and that was the day I found out that Mom threw an even bigger fit than I was aware of and told the office staff that if they ever sent the Kinder to my health room again, she would sue the school. Over refusing to potentially harm her child.

I don't miss that school. Not one bitty bit. 

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

AngelfireRN said:

Many moons ago when I was a school nurse, I had this happen. A little Kinder student was brought to me along with a baggie of these brown bottles with tops like nothing I had ever seen before. The labels were hand typed, which was also odd. As I was completely out of my element, I kept the meds and called the parent. I had no idea at the time that I was about to paint a target on my back. 

Mom showed up and had a complete come apart. The child just 'had to have these meds' 4-5 times a day during school. Nothing would do but that. As it so happened, neither the main nor the vice principal was there that day and the acting principal was a coach. He and I tried in vain to explain to this woman why this was not possible nor yet even FEASIBLE but she was having none of it. When I called her, I had said that we had no documentation from the doctor and she brought with her a ripped off piece of notepaper and plonked it down on the principal's desk. "The doctor is out today, his secretary wrote that. It's good enough. This medicine has the energy of what she's allergic to in it. She could take the whole bottle at once and it wouldn't hurt her. I know you're ignorant. You just don't know." 

When she could see she was not going to get anywhere with me, she started in on the coach. And then she doubled down and said that not only was she expecting us to administer these meds, but that she was expecting them to be sent home and then brought back daily by the Kinder. 

When she finally realized that she was not getting anywhere, she stomped out. I didn't think any more about it until I was called into the office later that week and told I could have handled the situation better, though no one could tell me how, exactly. Further, it was listed on my yearly eval by the principal who wasn't even there. And the crowning indignity, several months later, the school secretary brought the Kinder back for a temp check and I told her I'd call mom. She refused to let me and that was the day I found out that Mom threw an even bigger fit than I was aware of and told the office staff that if they ever sent the Kinder to my health room again, she would sue the school. Over refusing to potentially harm her child.

I don't miss that school. Not one bitty bit. 

I'm glad you got out when you did! The fact that they didn't even tell you about the parent stating they would sue is insane. But this is why having a medication administration policy is so important; When enrolling their students in school, parents are agreeing to adhere to all of the operating procedures and policies of the school. I think had I been in your shoes, I would have reminded the mother of this and printed the medication admin policy for her, highlighting all of the things that have to be done prior to administering the "medication" - orders, meds in pharmacy labeled bottles, etc. Helps you cover your butt with the parent AND admin...

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

k1p1ssk said:

I'm glad you got out when you did! The fact that they didn't even tell you about the parent stating they would sue is insane. But this is why having a medication administration policy is so important; When enrolling their students in school, parents are agreeing to adhere to all of the operating procedures and policies of the school. I think had I been in your shoes, I would have reminded the mother of this and printed the medication admin policy for her, highlighting all of the things that have to be done prior to administering the "medication" - orders, meds in pharmacy labeled bottles, etc. Helps you cover your butt with the parent AND admin.

The coach and I did reiterate that point to her, he even had the handbook pulled to show her. Her response was to flaunt off with "I have a copy of the handbook, THANK YOU!". Right before she slammed out of the office. You can't win.