JLCD-R1
PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ADMINISTERING
MEDICINES TO STUDENTS
Before any medicine may be administered in school, the Board requires the written
request of the parent/guardian which shall give informed consent for such administration
(including that unlicensed personnel may administer the medicine). This request shall
be accompanied by the written order of the prescribing physician.
Medicine must be delivered to the school in its original container. Students shall not be
permitted to transport to school and self-administer prescription medicine in school
except under very special circumstances - as requested and described by the student's
physician such as in the case of a responsible, adequately instructed student with
medical needs that require being given special permission to carry an inhaler, insulin or
epinephrine auto injector and self-medicate.
All medicine will be appropriately maintained by the principal and the school nurse.
The written order of a prescribing physician/dentist shall be reviewed by the school
nurse when first presented to the school, and should include:
A. the diagnosis;
B. a specific dosage;
C. the time at which the medicine is to be administered:
D. the length of time for which the medicine is prescribed - no longer than for the
current school year; and
E. any possible side effects of the medication.
The physician authorization may include:
A. written medical authorization; or
B. telephone call to school nurse followed by a FAXed written order; or
C. prescription bottle with pharmacy label; or
D. written discharge instructions from a hospital emergency room.
Parents/students are responsible for notifying the school nurse a minimum of two school
days prior to a field trip to ensure that training for an unlicensed staff member may be
provided when necessary to administer medication required to be taken during the trip.
In an emergency, trained unlicensed staff may administer epinephrine with an auto
injector, albuterol or glucagon.
When the school nurse believes that the prescription fails to provide sufficient specificity
either on when or in what circumstances it should be administered, or when the
prescribing physician has indicated that the medication should not be administered by
unlicensed personnel at the school, the school nurse shall schedule a meeting with the
parents to discuss alternative options for administration of the medication for the
student. Other participants may be invited to the meeting.
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The school nurse or principal/designee shall maintain a record including the request, the
approvals, details of the dosage and timing of medication, a notation of each instance of
administration and any incident of errors in administration.
Any outdated medication or medication not retrieved by parents will be properly
disposed of by the nurse or trained unlicensed staff member, with a record of such
disposal maintained.
Legal Reference:
Title 20A MRSA, §254
Cross Reference:
JLCD-E – Physicians Request for School Personnel to Administer
Medication in School
Approved by the Superintendent: June 16, 2005
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