Administration of Medication Policy
Rationale
We, at St Dympna’s, aspire to be a community which truly reflects God’s love for all. As such, we try to assist those who require medication to help them function to the best of their ability. It is recognized that the parent or the person with legal responsibility for the child has the responsibility for administration of medication. However, some students require the administration of medication during school hours and school activities. If the required processes are followed, the school can assist in the provision of this service. These processes primarily involve a written request from the parent or person with legal responsibility for the student accompanied by written advice from the medical practitioner, dentist or pharmacist.
Guidelines
To provide appropriate administration of medication, St. Dympna’s School will ensure:
the privacy and dignity of each child is considered at all times.
all appropriate records of administration of medication are completed.
medication is authorized by a medical practitioner, dentist or pharmacist.
specific procedures are written for routine and emergency situations.
clear and complete details are on the original container of medication.
medication is securely stored.
medication prescribed for one student is not administered to another student.
appropriate information and training, where necessary, for staff who administer medication.
To provide appropriate administration of medication, parents of children at St Dympna’s will:
request, in writing, that the school administer the prescribed medication
provide the medication in the original labelled container, showing the name of the drug, the dosage and frequency of administration, the “use by” date, the name of the student and the student’s medical practitioner.
Notify the school, in writing, of any requests and/or guidelines from medical practitioners concerning possible side effects or adverse reactions.
Advise the school, in writing, and collect the medication when it is out of date or no longer required at school.
Provide the medication in the exact dosage for the school to administer to the student.
Procedures
Oral Medication
Oral medications such as analgesics (eg Panadol) and over-the-counter medication that have not been authorised by the student’s medical practitioner must not be administered by teachers or others persons on the school staff.
Oral medication shall only be given when all guidelines, outlined previously, have been met.
Nebulised Medication
Nebulisers should be provided by parents or a person with the legal responsibility for the student, and administered strictly in accordance with written instructions provided by the student’s medical practitioner or specialist.
Medication via a nebuliser shall only be given when all relevant guidelines, previously outlined, have been met.
Injections
Teachers and other volunteers must not give intravenous injections.
A teacher or other adult on the school staff who agrees to administer injections to a particular student may be authorized by the principal to administer medication via subcutaneous or intramuscular injections if they have been trained in the procedure of giving the injections. Full and complete instructions from the student’s medical practitioner must be available as well as written explanations of possible complications of the injections.
To cater for students who require medication via injection for serious allergic reactions such as bee sting, asthma or peanuts, or for such conditions as diabetes, the principal will develop procedures, in conjunction with the parents, to reduce the risk of an emergency situation arising and ensure the student, parents and school staff are aware of emergency procedures.
Self-Administration of Medication
Self-administration of medication may apply to students who are assessed by their medical practitioner and parents and approved by the principal as capable of administering their own medication. This may include: monitoring blood sugar levels and injection of insulin for diabetes; inhaling medication such as ventolin for asthma; orally administering anti-convulsant medication for epilepsy; and orally administering enzyme replacements for cystic fibrosis.
Students approved to carry their own medication should demonstrate practices of secure storage of medication and safe disposal of any injecting equipment.
