Policy 7513 – Medication and Personal Care Items

The school district’s nursing personnel may administer medication to a student during school hours under certain conditions. (For the purpose of this policy “medication” includes prescription and non- prescription medications). Per New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements, the school must receive the following before medication is given to a student:

  1. The original written order from the student’s physician stating the name of the medication, precise dosage, frequency and time of administration;
  2. Written, signed consent from the student’s parent or person in parental relation requesting the administration of the medication, as prescribed by the physician, to the student in school; and
  3. The medication, properly labeled in its original container. It must be delivered to the school health office by the student’s parent or person in parental relation. The term “properly labeled” in the context of this policy means that the container must include the following information: the student’s name, name of medication, dosage, frequency and prescribing physician. A student is not permitted to carry any medication on his or her person in school, or on the school bus, or keep any medication in his or her school locker(s). An exception may apply, however, for students with asthma, diabetes or allergies who may carry and self-administer medication under certain conditions.

All medication orders must be reviewed annually by school health personnel or whenever there is a change in dosage.

Students with Asthma or Other Respiratory Illnesses

The District will make a nebulizer available on-site in school buildings where full- or part-time nursing services are provided. Only students with a patient-specific order may have access to the nebulizer. School nursing personnel will clean and maintain the District nebulizer as appropriate.

Personal equipment used to deliver albuterol to a student will be cleaned, appropriately labeled with the student’s name, and used solely by that individual student. (Examples of equipment are the nebulizer tubing, facemask, mouthpiece, spacer, etc.)

Self-Administration of Medication

Generally

Each student who is permitted to self-administer medication should have an emergency care plan on file with the District. Further, the school will maintain a record of all written parental consents in the student’s cumulative health record.

School health office personnel will also maintain regular parental contact in order to monitor the effectiveness of self-medication procedures and to clarify parental responsibility as to the daily monitoring of their child to ensure that the medication is being utilized in accordance with the physician’s or provider’s instructions. Additionally, the student will report to the health office on a periodic basis as determined by health office personnel to maintain an ongoing evaluation of the student’s management of self-medication techniques, and to work cooperatively with the parents and the student regarding self-care management.

Students who self-administer medication without proper authorization will be referred for counseling by school nursing personnel, as appropriate. Additionally, school administration and parents will be notified of such unauthorized use of medication by the student, and school administration may determine the proper resolution of this behavior.

Students with Asthma or another Respiratory Disease

A student may carry and self-administer his or her prescribed inhaled rescue medication during the school day, on school property, and at any school function if the school health office has the following on file:

  1. Written order/permission and an attestation from a duly authorized health care provider stating that the student has a diagnosis of asthma or other respiratory disease for which inhaled rescue medications are prescribed to alleviate respiratory symptoms or to prevent the onset of exercise induced asthma; the student has demonstrated that he or she can self- administer the prescribed medication effectively; and the expiration date of the order, the name of the prescribed medication, the dose the student is to self-administer, times when the medication is to be self-administered, and the circumstances which may warrant use of the medication; and
  2. Written consent from the student’s parent or person in parental relation.

Upon written request of the student’s parent or person in parental relation, the school will allow the student to maintain an extra inhaled rescue medication in the care and custody of the school’s district nursing personnel, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or school physician.

Students with Allergies

A student may carry and self-administer his or her prescribed EpiPen during the school day, on school property, and at any school function if the school health office has the following on file:

  1. Written order/permission and an attestation from a duly authorized health care provider stating that the student has a diagnosis of an allergy for which an EpiPen is needed for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions; the student has demonstrated that he or she can self-administer the EpiPen effectively; and the expiration date of the order, the name of the medicine, the dose the student is to self-administer, and the circumstances which may warrant use of the medication; and
  2. Written consent from the student’s parent or person in parental relation.

Upon written request of the student’s parent or person in parental relation, the school will allow the student to maintain an extra EpiPen in the care and custody of district nursing personnel, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or school physician.

Students with Diabetes

A student may carry and self-administer his or her prescribed insulin through an appropriate medication delivery device, carry glucagon, and carry and use equipment and supplies necessary to check blood glucose and/or ketone levels during the school day, on school property, and at any school function if the school health office has the following on file:

  1. Written order/permission and an attestation from a duly authorized healthcare provider stating that the student has a diagnosis of diabetes for which insulin and glucagon through appropriate medication delivery devices, and the use of equipment and supplies to check blood glucose and/or ketone levels are necessary; the student has demonstrated that he or she can self-administer effectively, can self-check glucose or ketone levels independently, and can independently follow prescribed treatment orders; and the expiration date of the order, the name of the prescribed insulin or glucagon, the type of insulin delivery system, the dose of insulin and/or glucagon the student is to self-administer, times when the insulin and/or glucagon is to be self-administered, and the circumstances which may warrant administration by the student. The written permission must also identify the prescribed blood glucose and/or ketone test, the times testing is to be done, and any circumstances which warrant checking a blood glucose and/or ketone level.
  2. Written consent from the student’s parent or person in parental relation.

Upon written request of the student’s parent or person in parental relation, the school will allow the student to maintain extra insulin, insulin delivery system, glucagon, blood glucose meter, and related supplies to treat the student’s diabetes in the care and custody of district nursing personnel, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or school physician.

Students with diabetes may also carry food, oral glucose, or other similar substances necessary to treat hypoglycemia in accordance with District policy.

Storage and Disposal of Medication

The District will comply with relevant state laws, regulations, and guidelines governing the District’s receipt, storage, and disposal of medication.

Personal Care Items

Feminine Hygiene Products

Each school building within the District serving students in any grade from six through twelve will provide feminine hygiene products in building restrooms. These products will be provided at no charge to students.

Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) permits the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in schools. The school medical director may approve and permit the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in the District’s schools without a physician’s order. Parents may provide written notification to the school in the event that they do not wish to have their child use these products.

Sunscreen

Students may carry and use FDA-approved sunscreen products for over-the-counter use. The student’s parent or person in parental relation must provide written permission for the student to carry and use sunscreen, which will be maintained by the school. A student who is unable to physically apply sunscreen may be assisted by unlicensed personnel when directed to do so by the student, if permitted by a parent or person in parental relation, and authorized by the school.

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), 20 United States Code (USC) Sections 1400 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code (USC) Section 794 et seq.
Education Law Sections 902(b), 907, 916, 916-a, 916-b, 919, 921, 6527, 6908(1)(a)(iv), and 6909
Public Health Law Sections 267, 3000- c, and 3309
8 NYCRR 136.6, 136.7

NOTE:      Refer also to Policy #7521 — Students with Life-Threatening Health Conditions

Adopted:  04/25/01
Revised: 05/17/12
Revised: 12/10/15
Revised: 04/09/20