Medication: Administering to Students

It is the policy of the Oologah-Talala Board of Education that if a student is required to take medication during school hours and the parent or guardian cannot be at school to administer the medication or if circumstances exist that indicate it is in the best interest of the student that a nonprescribed medication be dispensed to that student, the principal, or the principal's designee, may administer the medication only as follows:

1. Prescription medication must be in a container that indicates the following:

   1. student's name,
   2. name and strength of medication,
   3. dosage and directions for administration,
   4. name ofphysician or dentist,
   5. date and name of pharmacy, and
   6. whether the child has asthma or other disability which may require immediate dispensation of medication.

2. The medication must be delivered to the principal's office in person by the parent or guardian ofthe student unless the medication must be retained by the student for immediate self-administration. The medication will be accompanied by written authorization from the parent, guardian, or person having legal custody that indicates the following:

   1. purpose of the medication,
   2. time to be administered,
   3. whether the medication must be retained by student for self-administration,
   4. termination date for administering the medication, and
   5. other appropriate information requested by the principal or the principal's designee.

Self-administration of inhaled asthma medication by a student for treatment of asthma, an anaphylaxis medication used to treat anaphylaxis, and the self-administration of replacement pancreatic enzymes by a student for treatment of cystic fibrosis is permitted with written parental authorization. The parent or guardian of the student must also provide a written statement from the physician treating the student that the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of, and has been instructed in the proper method of, self-administration of medication. Additionally:

1. The parent or guardian must provide the school with an emergency supply ofthe student's medication to be administered as authorized by state law.
2. The school district will inform the parent or guardian ofthe student, in writing, and the parent or guardian shall sign a statement acknowledging, that the school district and its employees and agents shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication by the student.
3. Permission for the self-administration of asthma, or anaphylaxis medication, or replacement cystic fibrosis enzymes is effective for the school year for which it is granted and shall be renewed each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the above requirements.
4. A student who is permitted to self-administer asthma medication or anaphylaxis medication shall be permitted to possess and use a prescribed inhaler, anaphylaxis medication, or replacement pancreatic enzyme medication at all times.

5. Definitions:

   1. Medication for purposes of self-administration, means a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler to alleviate asthmatic symptoms, prescribed by a physician and having an individual label, or an anaphylaxis medication used to treat anaphylaxis, including but not limited to Epinephrine, prescribed by a physician and having an individual label, or replacement pancreatic enzymes prescribed by a physician and having an individual label.
   2. Self-administration means a student's use of medication pursuant to prescription or written direction from a physician.

Students shall be permitted to possess and self-apply sunscreen that is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration without the written authorization of a parent, legal guardian, or physician. Students applying sunscreen are prohibited from applying sunscreen during instructional time. Aerosol spray must be applied outside of school buildings and away from other students. Students shall not be allowed to apply sunscreen to other students. Students who do not conform to these rules will be disciplined by the administration in accordance with school discipline policies.

Nonprescription medication may be administered only with the written request and permission of a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody when other alternatives, such as resting or changing activities, are inappropriate or ineffective. The medication will be administered in accordance with label directions or written instructions from the student's physician.

A school employee will contact 911 as soon as possible if it is believed that a student is having an anaphylactic reaction. If Epinephrine is administered to a student, a school employee shall contact 911 as soon as possible. The school district shall notify the parent or guardian of any student who experiences a possible allergic reaction as soon as possible.

The district will require annual training for teachers and school employees who are directly responsible for students on the topics of food allergies, recognizing anaphylaxis, and instruction on how to administer Epinephrine. The training school be completed before the school year begins or upon hiring the teacher or school employee. Documentation certifying completion of the required training shall be retained in the personnel file of the teacher or school emplovee. The training may be provided online or in person by the school nurse or a recognized food allergy and anaphylaxis training program.

The administrator, or administrator's designee, will:

1. Inform appropriate school personnel of the medication being administered
2. Keep an accurate record ofthe administration of the medication
3. Keep all medication in a locked cabinet except medication retained by a student per physician's order
4. Return unused prescription medication to the parent or guardian only

The parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of the student is responsible for informing the designated official of any change in the student's health or change in medication.

This policy statement will be provided to a parent or guardian upon receipt of a request for long-term administration of medication.

Legal Citations

The qualifications and procedures outlined in this policy are based upon the following Oklahoma Statutes (O.S.):

• 10 O.S. §170.1
• 59 O.S. §353.1
• 70 O.S. §1-116, et seq.