Field Trips (continued)
If a student goes on a field trip but is not fully aware of and capable of understanding the need and assuming responsibility for taking medicine, the district's policy may offer such options as:- The parent or guardian may attend the activity and administer the medication.
- The parent can personally request another adult who is not employed by the school to voluntarily administer the medication on the field trip or activity and inform the school district in writing of such request.
- The student's health care provider may order the medication time to be adjusted or dose eliminated.
Emergency Situations
As of September 2000, commissioner's regulations permit school nurses to carry and administer agents used in non-patient specific emergency treatment of anaphylaxis (severe and dangerous allergic reactions). For example, a school nurse or a licensed practical nurse under the direction of a school nurse responding can administer treatment such as an Epi-pen in an emergency in which an individual has a serious allergic reaction to a wasp sting or the ingestion of peanut butter.
Summary
Without federal guidelines in place to regulate public school medication administration, school districts will continue to write their own programs - and mistakes will continue to be made. To keep these mistakes to a minimum, there is no substitution for parental involvement. Mistakes in school medication administration can be avoided when parents are educated and schools and parents are working together.Source:
McCarthy, A.M., Kelly, M.W., Reed, D. (2000). "Medication administration practices of school nurses." Journal of School Health, 70, 371.
Additional Resources
