Medications should be administered at home whenever possible. If it is necessary for a student to take medication at school, this may be done in accordance with the District guidelines. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardian to file consent forms and written instructions for giving medication in the school office. State law (Wis. Statute 118.29) governs the administration of medication to students while in school. Specifically, any school employee (teachers, secretaries, and other non-professional health care providers) authorized in writing by the administrator of the School District, or by a school principal may: A. Administer any drug, which may lawfully be sold over the counter without a prescription (non-prescription), in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. In addition these medications are administered in compliance with the written instructions of the student's parent or guardian if the student's parent or guardian consents in writing by filing an Authorization for Administration of Medication form. Written consent and instructions must be on file at school before any non-prescription medication can be administered. B. Administer a prescription drug to a student in compliance with the written instructions of a health care practitioner and consent of the parent/guardian, as indicated on the Authorization for Administration of Medication (consent) form. C. At the beginning of each school year the parent/guardian must sign a consent form and provide a signed health care practitioners statement and instructions before any medication is given at school. These forms authorize school personnel to administer the medication during school hours. A new, signed, consent form is required each time a medication order is changed during the school year. The prescribing health care provider must also agree to accept direct communication from the person administering the medication. School District employees must receive DPI approved training before administering any medication to a student via the following routes: oral, injection, inhalation, rectal, nasogastric, gastrostomy or jejeunostomy tubes. Principals are responsible for ensuring that the administrative procedures developed for the admin- istration of medication in schools are followed. The school nurse shall provide training, supervision, and evaluation to designated school personnel in the administration of medications. This training shall be documented. The School District nurse shall be responsible for periodic review of the written medication instructions, as well as designating appropriate documentation procedures and safe storage of medication in school. Students in elementary and middle school may not carry and self-administer any medications (exception listed below). This policy does not prohibit a reliable 9-12 grade student from assuming the responsibility for carrying and self-administering non-controlled prescription and non-prescription medications while at school. Physician signature is required if the medication is a prescription. If a student is over the age of eighteen (18), parental consent is not necessary, but the student shall file a medication form with the office so staff is aware of the medication taken by the student at school. ALL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES must be kept locked in the school office and dispensed from this location for all K-12 grade levels unless previous arrangements have been made with the school nurse. Drugs considered to be controlled substances by the State of Wisconsin can be found at: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/F. Students in grades K-12 may carry and self-administer certain medications as listed in State law, under the supervision of school personnel. Parental consent and the authorization for the use of the medication along with written instructions must be obtained from the prescribing health care practitioner. A school employee, other than a health care professional, who is authorized in writing by his/her building administrator and who in good faith administers medications under the written direction of a parent/guardian, and physician, is immune from civil liability for his/her acts or omissions in rendering this service unless the act constitutes a high degree of negligence in accordance with Wisconsin State Law. Any school district or building administrator who authorizes a school employee to administer medication under this policy is immune from civil liability for the act of authorization unless it constitutes a high degree of negligence according to Wisconsin State Law. 118.29, Wis. Stats. Approved/Adopted: July 13, 2009 Revised: January 23, 2012 Revised: August 25, 2014 |