Texas School Nurses

[EnoughWithTheIce]

Have you ever been asked to give a non FDA approved medication with a student that is part of a clinical trial?? Every fiber in my nurse being says no but the NPA is written so vaguely.........

We have a physician order. From my research so far, it needs to be written in the IEP or 504 and really should be given by a non-nursing staff member picked by the principal.

Any input??

[NurseBorg, BSN]

This is only my 3rd year in school nursing, but this is what our policy states. I have not been asked so far to do this, but would follow our policy.

Herbal medications, dietary supplements, or other substances not FDA approved will not be administered at school unless required by the student’s IEP or 504 Plan.

It doesn't specify who has to administer it however.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

The first year at my old district I had a kid undergoing chemo and I was requested to give him a magnesium supplement daily. He needed it Q4 hours because whatever the chemotherapeutic agent was, it leached Mg from him.

Giving "vitamin supplements" went against our approved policy at the time. All things considered, I'd do it again.

However, you ask about a trial medication and the BON is pretty clear that we don't do that, even with a doctor's order. Doctor's orders don't protect us from our BON and I've said that out loud. Having a non-nursing staff give it - if it's in a route that a non-nursing staff can do - sounds good.

Does it have to be given at school? Sometimes TID meds can be given AM prior, immediately after school, and bedtime. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[tining, BSN, RN]

Is it an unapproved use for a medication or a really non FDA approved med? How does it come - from samples/compounding pharmacy/some other?

Just curious, I agree with @NurseBorg on not giving.

[EnoughWithTheIce]

It is prescribed QID.

It is actually a "medical food."

[tining, BSN, RN]

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

17 hours ago, EnoughWithTheIce said:

It is prescribed QID.

It is actually a "medical food."

Nope, nope, nope. Put it in the lunch box and forget about it. Or have a non-RN supervise it.

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

I have no experience with this, so I can't help. I am curious though - what is it? I'm not sure I've ever heard of a "medical food". How old is said kid? If, like @ruby_jane said, it can be put in the lunch box and the kid can be trusted to take it on their own, that may be the best course.