Standing Medication Orders in Schools (PRN's only)

schooldistrictnurse · Mar 7, 2011

We do not have any standing orders. We do have multiple bottles of common OTC meds provided by parents for their child. I wonder about the cost. We used to provide tampons and pads at MS and HS and you just wouldn't believe the amount of product that is used. So now we quit on the tampons and only offer pads. I'm sure some HS students carry their own OTC meds, but they're not supposed to. What would you budget for this "service"?

KLLB · Mar 7, 2011

Our school is only 300 students total (K-12) and I would only be offering this to Middle School and High school. No liquid meds, only tablet form. I have a budget to cover it---it actually wouldn't be much if generics were purchased.

millhouse · Mar 7, 2011

We don't need a MD signature on OTC meds unless the parent wants the OTC med weight based. Our policy is to go by age based (4-6yr old can have 2 tablets q 4 hours PRN). Kids are bigger these days for their age and so the dosage would be different. Makes sense to me, but the county hasnt changed it yet. The parent brings in the med and fills out the order for it. Then there is a PRN MAR that is signed when the child comes to get some. The parent MUST bring in the meds in... none are to be transported by students. The meds would be kept in the nurses office locked up and dispensed by the nurse.

KLLB · Mar 7, 2011

thanks--our state won't allow it without a MD signature. Wish we could, it would be easier.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 8, 2011

We have standing orders for Epipen and Benadryl only. I'd love it if we could get a standing order for advil or tylenol and cough drops. It would make life so much easier. Spoke to my boss about it - he's not opposed to the idea - now just have to convince the school md.

rdsxfnrn · Mar 8, 2011

No meds are given without a doctor"s order and parental consent. We do not have ANY standing orders here. Actually, makes my life much easier.

mycsm · Mar 8, 2011

Need parents signature and MD order AND the med must be provided. I have over 900 6,7,8th graders. Some swallow pills, some only liquid, some like bubble gum flavor, some can only have grape. Some only want this this and this....That is WAY TOO MUCH!. There is no reason why the parents cannot provide their own meds. You wouldn't believe how particular parents can be and how they want the school to provide everything.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

No meds are given without a doctor"s order and parental consent. We do not have ANY standing orders here. Actually, makes my life much easier.

Same policy here, and I agree, it makes my life easier having a blanket policy that says "no meds without med permit from physician and parent signature for permission".

KLLB · Mar 9, 2011

I agree it is easier to not have to worry about standing orders, but I have too many HS girls that get cramps and end up going home. I would like to keep them in the classroom. Our school population is small enough that I think it would work (300 total students). And it would be optionals---if they don't return the form signed by parent AND MD, no meds will be given. Thanks!

eshleman · Mar 14, 2011

Our whole district has a standing order policy that we may give tylenol, htc cream, atb ointment, and epipens only. A form is sent home at the begining of the year that states we do this and if they want to opt out of it, they may. If we don't get the form back and their child asks for tylenol, we give it. Anything else that the parent wants given to the child must coem to school along with a doctor's order. I really do wish we had orders for cough drops and tums as well, though.

KLLB · Mar 14, 2011

so is there a doctor that signs off for your school?