providing OTC Meds to teachers/staff

[Nurse2Kids]

Note: a physician's order is NOT required to give meds at our school.

There are some restrictions, but for most meds only a parent signature is required....in original container, for a limited amount of days, etc.

The school has previously kept Tylenol and Advil in the office for staff to take as needed.

If I will allow a student to take meds with only a parent signature, should I be able to have the teacher sign a waiver and take the meds at their own discretion.

I've read about legal issues surrounding this, and I'm totally fine not to give them to staff at all. I just know they've done this for years, and wondered how you all handle this sticky situation.

[halohg, RN]

This is how I handle this sticky situation. If an adult comes in looking for an OTC, I simply point to a cabinet and tell them to take a look and help themselves to anything they think would help them. I do not dispense or give out generic medical advice other than to seek out their own medical practitioner for advice.

[WineRN]

Similar to halo, I do stock some otcs for my staff but I make it clear that they are making the choice to take it and I hand the requested bottle to them to get their own doses.

I will admit to giving advice to certain staff that I know medical history/ current issues with if they request something the nurse in me doesn't think they should take.

[algae1492]

Medication storage or administration for teachers is not your responsibility. At least it shouldn't be.

[caliotter3]

This is how I handle this sticky situation. If an adult comes in looking for an OTC, I simply point to a cabinet and tell them to take a look and help themselves to anything they think would help them. I do not dispense or give out generic medical advice other than to seek out their own medical practitioner for advice.

This is basically what we did at the LTC facilities where I worked. If a staff member wanted something, I would pull out the stock bottle from the cart and place it where they could reach it, and tell them to get it themselves, but that I could not give it to them.

[ICUtoSchoolNSG]

We have a similar arrangement. I'm not giving them anything but if they choose, as adults, to take something from the cabinet over the sink then that is up to them.

[Eleven011]

We don't keep medications on hand for staff. I have a limited budget as it is to purchase things for students, let alone staff. That being said, if a staff I am well acquainted with comes to me with a horrible headache, I will probably open my purse and share my stash of motrin :)

[chasinRT]

The secretary keeps a bottle of Tylenol in her desk. Staff requests for meds are referred to her.