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Medication Protocol

MEDICATION PROTOCOL

Please take note of the following important information about the administration of medication during school hours:

  • Only those medications that are necessary for the student’s medical care and that cannot be given outside school hours will be administered. Even medications that are scheduled for three times a day can usually be given outside of school hours.
  • Medication must be in its original, properly labeled container (no baggie, please). Please request your pharmacist to provide two labeled bottles of medication: one for home and one for school. Please note, if a dosage is changed (Ritalin or Adderall, for example) a new label must be made by the pharmacist and sent to school as soon as possible. Medications are only to be given as per label instructions. A written statement or FAX from the physician will suffice while a label is updated. Bradfield’s fax number is 214-780-3220.
  • Please provide written consent and specific instructions for each medication. This form is available on the HPISD website under Health Services or from the school clinic.
  • Medication must be age-appropriate. Aspirin is an important example:
    • Aspirin usage by children and adolescents has been associated with the rare, but often-fatal disorder, REYE’S SYNDROME. The nurse may not administer aspirin or any aspirin-containing product to students 18 and under without prior written physician and parent consent.
  • The school nurse cannot dispense over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication such as Tylenol, Advil, cough syrups, antihistamines, etc. These medications must be provided from home (with written permission/instructions) and in the original container.
  • Only medications that are up-to-date may be administered. Please check the expiration date before sending medications to school.
  • Injectable medications may only be administered by the nurse or a trained designee, and only in life-threatening/urgent situations. There must be on file written authorization and instructions from the physician and parent. A special form for this is available in the school clinic or online.
  • Herbal substances or dietary supplements provided by the parent may be administered only if 1) the child’s personal physician has ordered that such product(s) be provided; 2) the order specifies that the product(s) must be provided during school hours, and 3) the Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan for the student requires that the product(s) are necessary for the provision of a free appropriate public education for a student with a disability.
  • Asthma inhalers may be carried during the school day by students who have parent and physician written authorization (forms available in the clinic or online) on file in the school clinic. We urge you to keep an extra inhaler in the clinic as a backup.
  • Prescription and non-prescription medication requests and parent/physician requests are to be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Prescription medications may only be given if prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the United States.
  • At the end of each school year, medications will need to be picked up by the parent, guardian or designated responsible adult. Medications that are not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded.