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ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION
The Board of Education disclaims any and all responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of the illness of any pupil. At the same time, the Board recognizes that a pupil’s attendance may be contingent upon the timely administration of medication duly prescribed by a physician. The board will permit the dispensation of medication in school only when the pupil’s health and continuing attendance in school so require and when the medication is administered in accordance with this policy. DEFINITIONS For purposes of this policy, “medication” means any prescription drug or over-the-counter medicine or nutritional supplement. For the purposes of this policy, “self administration” means carrying and taking medication without the intervention of the school nurse, approved through he school district policy and restricted to students with asthma and other life-threatening illnesses. For the purposes of this policy, epi-pen “a pre-filled single dose auto-injector mechanism containing epinephrine” means a medical device used for the emergency administration of epinephrine to a pupil for anaphylaxis. For the purposes of this policy, “a non-certified school nurse” means a person who holds a current license as a registered professional nurse from the State Board of Nursing and is employed by the district, and who is not certified as a school nurse by the Department of Education. For the purposes of this policy “a substitute school nurse” means a person who holds a current license as a registered professional nurse from the State Board of Nursing and who has been issued a county substitute certificate to serve as a substitute for a certified school nurse in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:11- 4.5. For the purposes of this policy “ a school physician” means a physician with a current license to practice medicine or osteopathy from the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners who works under contract or as an employee of the district. The physician is referred to as the medical inspector in N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.4. No medication will be administered to pupils in school except by the school physician, a certified or non-certified school nurse, a substitute nurse employed by the district, or the pupil’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s). A written request for the administration of medication at school must be approved by the Principal, school nurse or designee. Medication must be delivered to the school nurse by the pupil’s parent or legal guardian. The medication must be brought to the school nurse in the original container labeled by the pharmacy or physician. Written orders signed by the pupil’s private physician (or in the use of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine), must be provided stating the name of the medication, the purpose of its administration to the specific pupil for whom it is intended, its proper timing and dosage, its possible side effects, and the time when its use will be discontinued. Written orders must be provided for use of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine. The orders must state that the pupil has a prior physician known/physician documented episode of anaphylaxis and does not have the capability for self-administration of the medication. These written orders must be reviewed by the school physician prior to school approval for self-administration of any medication. The school physician may also issue standing orders to the school nurse regarding the administration of medication. Medication no longer required must be promptly removed by the parent of legal guardian. The school nurse shall have the primary responsibility for the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine. However, the certified school nurse may designate, in consultation with the Board or Superintendent, another employee of the district trained by the certified school nurse in accordance with the “training protocols for the Implementation of Emergency Administration of Epinephrine” issued by the New Jersey Department of Education, to administer the pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine when the school nurse is not physically present a the scene (only the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine can be delegated). The pupil’s parent/legal guardian must consent in writing to the designated person if applicable. In addition, the parent/legal guardian must be informed that the school district has no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine, and the parents/legal guardian must sign a statement that shall indemnify and hold the district and employees harmless again any claim arising from the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine. The permission for the emergency administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine to pupils for anaphylaxis is effective for the school year it is granted and must be renewed for each subsequent school year. Self-administration of medication by pupils is permitted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A: 40-12.3. A pupil is only permitted to self-administer medication for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses as defined by the Department of Education, New Jersey Statutes Annotated and New Jersey Administrative Code. Students meeting the statute requirements (see below) shall be permitted to carry an inhaler (or other medication meeting these guidelines) at all times provided the students do no endanger themselves or others through misuse. Permission for self-administration of medication must comply with the conditions set forth in Regulation 5141.21. The conditions set forth in the statute are as follows:
All medication shall be appropriately maintained and secured by the school nurse, except those medications to be self-administered by pupils. In those instances the medication may be retained by the pupil with the prior knowledge of the school nurse. The school nurse may provide the Principal and other teaching staff members concerned with the pupil’s educational progress with such information about the medication and its administration as may be in the pupil’s best educational interests. The school nurse may report to the school physician, parent and/or family physician any pupil who appears to be affected adversely by the administration of medication and may recommend to the Principal the pupil’s exclusion pursuant to law. The school nurse shall document each instance of the administration of medication to a pupil. Date: July 21, 2003, Approved Legal Reference: N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b) N.J.S.A. 18A:6-1.1 N.J.S.A. 18A:40-3.1 N.J.S.A. 18A:40-6 N.J.S.A. 18A-40-12.3-12.8 N.J.S.A. 45:11-23 Cross References: 5141.2 Illness 5141.3 Health |
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