Over the Counter Meds at School

[Allie911]

I am in the process of re-writing the medication policy for our school district and would like some input. We would like to add in the policy that students will be provided OTC medications such as Tylenol, Motrin and Cough Drops as long as they have a signed consent from parents. Does your school allow this? If so how is it managed. I am the only school nurse over 5 schools, k-12. The secretaries give out Tylenol without signed parent consents despite the current policy that states no meds will be given out unless a signed form is on file from the students parents and doctor we want to control this, but also do not want kids missing school for a headache or cough.

Any input? Thanks!

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

Per our school board policy, we can not give out any medication (rx or OTC) without signed permission AND the parent providing the medication. There's no way we would be able to supply OTC meds, I would spend half my yearly budget on Tylenol and ibuprofen. If the parents would like their child to have the medication here at school, they are more than welcome to provide it and sign the form. Otherwise, I'm not giving any child any medication.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Parental permission or not, I'm not giving any kid any med without a Doctor's order. Thankfully, this is the policy at my district. We need a med permit signed by the physician and parent to give any med (OTC or script), and the parent provides the med in the original container. I think it's best to err on the side of caution when my license is concerned.

As far as kids missing class, I send very few home for minor headaches and coughs. Sometimes the parent will bring meds to school and give them themselves, but generally the kiddo just needs a little rest, some water, and maybe a cracker and they are good to go back to class.

[schooldistrictnurse]

Our district policy is the same as LACA. Any OTC can be given with parental permission and parental supply.

This is not only the district policy, but the state law.

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

Oops, I forgot to mention, our policy also states that we will not give any medication containing aspirin (including Pepto), regardless of parental/MD permission.

I'm not being a smart aleck, I'm just wondering---why would you have to have MD permission to give OTC meds?? It's my thinking that since they are OTC, you would be fine with parental permission. I don't see Dr's taking the time to fill out a form for OTC meds...but that's just me?

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

In Texas, it would be considered prescribing medications and is outside the scope of practice for an RN. Just like in the hospital setting, you can't hand a patient a tylenol without Dr. orders. It is considered the same in the school setting.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

We have the same law - no meds rx or otc without an order. This includes cough drops and sunscreen.

We have standing orders from the school md for epi-pen and benadryl in case of unexpected allergic rxn. I am hoping to talk the school doc into writing a standing order for cough drops for HS/MS since the kids bring them anyhow. Then the kids would just need a note from mom or dad.

[Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN]

Ditto in Washington State. Start with the state law. We need an order for anything that is given for a medical condition. So my kids with chapped lips need an order for chapstick. I think thats a bit overboard, but putting it into a medical context helps the non-nursing staff understand the rationale behind it.

Also watch out for what can be given by unlicensed staff and what can't. I had to make a trip to one of my schools every day for a week because I had a child who needed a medicated cream for ring worm. Only a licensed person can apply creams, eye or ear drops etc. Unless the child can do it themselves.

[rdsxfnrn]

Absolutely no meds, otc or rx, given w/o doc order and parental consent. (and brought in with original container/ script) This is CT. It is outside of my scope of practice.

[raidermom]

In Alabama we can give OTC with parent form signed and the parent must bring in the original container. This was passed as a law and unlicensed medication assistant can give any med that is not invasive. Anyone is allowed to give an Epi pen. We are not allowed to stock any meds even Epi- pens unless child specific.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

Hmm, this is interesting. Mydistrict's policy is that OTC meds can be given at school if the parent signs permission AND provides the med in it's original container. I think I need to investigate this further. I don't want to have a problem over something like Tylenol and eye drops.

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[shellfrmmo, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, LPN, LVN, RN]

At my school we have each parent fill out a Health Inventory Form at the beginning of each school year. On the back of that form is a section that gives permission for us to give meds:

I give permission for the school nurse or desginated school personnel to administer the following indicated over-the-counter medication (s) to my child for the listed complaints.

___Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for complaint of ____________________

___Anti-Acid for complaint of ______________________

___Ibuprofen for complaint of ______________________

___Cough drops for complaint of ___________________________

Then Parent Signature.

We also have Benadryl and Pepto (child and adult depending on age) on hand for use with verbal permission over the phone from parents.

I can fax you the whole document if you want. Also have a permission form for all meds brought in by student for parents to sign whether OTC or Rx.

Let me know if you want it faxed: [email protected]

Missouri Policy is at:

http://health.mo.gov/living/families/schoolhealth/pdf/MedicationManual.pdf

and has lots of good info you could use. I am sure whatever state you are in has information tailored to your rules and regs.