Medication Policies

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Medicine at School – No Tolerance Policy

The district has a “no tolerance” policy for students in possession of medication of any kind, including herbal supplements, vitamins, and all over-the-counter medications, including cough drops/lozenges. All medications must be delivered and picked up by a parent or guardian. Students are not allowed to drop off or take home their medication(s) from the school clinic. All medications are to be stored in the first-aid office with the exception of prescribed medications for the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes. Please see the designated health person on your campus if your child has one of these conditions.

Students with asthma or anaphylaxis may carry prescribed inhalers or medications, provided written authorization from the parent or guardian is given to the campus, as well as a written statement from the student’s physician or licensed health-care provider stating that the student has asthma or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescribed medication. The campus may provide you with a form if one is needed. The physician must also provide written information of the name and purpose of the medication and the prescribed dosage. All medications must be examined and approved by the designated health person and must also have the prescription label on the medication.

In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with diabetes will be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school or at a school-related activity.

All other medications must be stored in the campus clinic in the original container clearly labeled with the student’s name. Failure to store medication in the campus clinic or follow the abovementioned procedure may result in serious disciplinary action.

Medication Guidelines:

  1. All medication must be stored in the clinic except in special circumstances for a student with asthma, diabetes, or a life-threatening allergy.
  2. All prescription medication MUST be in the original container with the pharmacy prescription label. No more than one month's supply of medication in a prescription labeled bottle shall be brought to the clinic at one time. ALL prescription medication will be counted and documented upon arrival to the campus.
  3. Over-the-counter medication MUST be in the original container with the student’s name on the container. Due to limited storage, no more than a 30-count container shall be stored in the clinic. Over-the-counter medications may be left in the clinic during the entire school year with a parent’s signature. We are unable to store any medication at the school during the summer and will dispose of all medication left in the clinic after the last day of school.
  4. Over-the-counter medications will be given according to the label on the package unless otherwise directed by a physician.
  5. Over-the-counter medications will not be given for more than five consecutive school days without a physician’s signature.
  6. Medication Administration Form must be complete with the parent’s signature.
  7. Medications are to be brought to the clinic by the parent or guardian. Only an adult may pick up medications from the clinic.
  8. All prescription medication given over ten days will require a physician’s signature.
  9. No medication container may contain more than one type of medication.
  10. Medications prescribed or requested to be given three times per day or less are not to be given at school unless it is determined that a special need exists.
  11. A student MAY NOT share medication with another student. Siblings MAY NOT share medication.
  12. Campus personnel do not administer dietary or herbal supplements unless required by the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities.

Psychotropic Drugs

A psychotropic drug is a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication. It is intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior and is commonly described as a mood- or behavior-altering substance.

Teachers and other district employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they are not permitted to recommend use of psychotropic drugs.

Prescription Medication

Prescription medication administered during school hours must be prescribed by a physician or advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) and filled by a pharmacist licensed in the state of Texas.

Prescription medication labels must include the student’s name and instructions, and be clearly legible, and not expired.

Written instructions from a physician or ANP are required and must include the following information:

  1. name of the student,
  2. name of the medication,
  3. reason the medication is being given,
  4. specific amount to be given,
  5. time the medication is to be given, and
  6. the method used to administer the medication.

No more than one month's supply of medication in a prescription labeled bottle shall be brought to the clinic at one time. ALL prescription medication will be counted and documented upon arrival to the campus.

Changes to daily medications require written instruction from the physician or ANP and written permission from the parent. Parents are responsible for advising the school office that a medication has been discontinued. Parents cannot change dosage or medication without a medical provider order.

Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication

Asthma and anaphylaxis are life-threatening conditions, and students with those conditions may be allowed to possess and self-administer prescription medications for those conditions during the school day or at school-related events. Student possession and self- dministration of asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school require the student to demonstrate the student's ability to self-administer the medication for the physician or licensed health-care provider and the Campus Director. Requirements also include written authorization from the student’s parent and physician or other licensed health-care provider on file in the school office indicating the student is capable of independently administering the student's own asthma or emergency anaphylaxis medication. With these safeguards in place, the student may possess and self-administer the student's prescribed medication at the student's discretion during school hours or at school-related events.

Written authorizations to self-administer asthma or anaphylaxis medication should be updated annually unless otherwise indicated by the physician.

Medication in a student’s possession must be in an original container with a prescription label. Please note that most pharmacies will place a label on the inhaler device upon request.

Diabetes Management

Students with diabetes may possess equipment and medication used in the treatment of diabetes during the school day and at school-related events given certain conditions. According to Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 168, a diabetes management and treatment plan must be developed and implemented by the student’s parent and the physician responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment. This plan must evaluate the student’s ability to manage diabetes and the student's level of understanding of diabetes and must be signed by the parent and physician responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment. An individual health plan must be implemented by the school and must incorporate components of the student’s diabetes management and treatment plan. In accordance with the student’s individualized health plan, which incorporates the diabetes management and treatment plan signed by the parent and physician that indicates the student’s ability to manage diabetes and the student's level of understanding of diabetes, a school shall permit a student to attend to the management and care of the student's diabetes, which may include:

  1. performing blood glucose level checks;
  2. administering insulin;
  3. treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia;
  4. possessing necessary monitoring and treatment equipment designed for diabetes care; and
  5. attending to the management of the student's diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school grounds, or at any school-related activity.

Opioid Antagonist Medication 

The school (i) Registered Nurse, (ii) Licensed Vocational Nurse, or (iii) other properly trained and designated individual shall be authorized to administer opioid antagonist medication, such as Naloxone, to assist a person who is reasonably believed to be experiencing an opioid-related overdose. These authorized persons may administer this medication in accordance with a standing order and/or procedures provided and/or approved by a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Texas. The employee shall promptly seek additional medical assistance for the person to whom the medication is administered.

On Campus

School-employed authorized personnel identified in the preceding paragraph may administer the opioid antagonist medication on a school campus or at a school-sponsored event in accordance with this policy and applicable administrative regulations.

Maintenance, Availability, and Training

Before any RN, LVN, or other designated and trained school employee may have custody of or administer an opioid antagonist medication under this policy, the employee must successfully complete an annual training program provided by the school, which includes recognizing opioid-related overdoses, administering opioid antagonist medication, and promptly seeking medical attention for suspected drug overdoses. A list of employees who successfully complete such training shall be maintained, updated, and kept in the district administrative office. 

The school shall provide RNs, LVNs, and other relevant school personnel with the opportunity to complete such training during their regular work schedule.

Opioid antagonist medication shall be stored with the automated external defibrillator (AED) in each school’s emergency box, accessible by designated and trained employees, and in accordance with the drug manufacturer’s instructions. Opioid antagonist medication shall be made readily available to designated employees who have completed the required training to administer in the event of suspected drug overdose. All designated and properly trained employees shall be made aware of the exact location of the opioid antagonist medication.

The school nurse, or designee, shall regularly inventory and verify opioid antagonist medication supply, and maintain records thereof, in accordance with the established internal procedures and manufacturer recommendations. Expired, damaged, or used opioid antagonist medication shall be disposed of in accordance with established medical waste disposal procedures.

Course and Scope of Employment 

The school will consider the administration of opioid antagonist medication by a properly trained employee under this Policy to be acting in the course and scope of his or her employment, and therefore entitled to defense by the school, if the following conditions are met:

  1. The designated and trained employee did not act with the intent to harm or with reckless indifference to a substantial risk or harm in administering opioid antagonist medication to that individual.
  2. The designated and trained employee successfully completed the training contemplated by this Policy.
  3. The designated and trained employee administering the opioid antagonist medication promptly sought additional medical assistance.
  4. The designated and trained employee is administering opioid antagonist medication pursuant to this policy.
Notice to Parents

The school shall provide notice to parents regarding the opioid antagonist medication program, including notice of any change to or discontinuation of this program.

 

Unassigned Epinephrine Auto-Injectors 

In accordance with Chapter 38, Subchapter E of the Education Code, ResponsiveEd has adopted a policy to allow authorized school personnel who have been adequately trained to administer an unassigned epinephrine auto-injector to a person who is reasonably believed to be experiencing a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). An “unassigned epinephrine auto-injector” is an epinephrine auto-injector prescribed by an authorized health-care provider in the name of the school issued with a non-patient-specific standing delegation order for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector. Authorized and trained individuals may administer an epinephrine auto-injector at any time to a person experiencing anaphylaxis on a school campus.

In accordance with Chapter 38, Subchapter E of the Education Code, the board has adopted a policy to allow a school nurse to administer an unassigned prescription asthma medication on a school campus to a student with diagnosed asthma if the nurse, in his or her professional judgment, reasonably believes the student is experiencing symptoms of asthma that warrant administration of the medication and the district has obtained prior written consent from the student’s parent or guardian. 

The school nurse may only administer unassigned prescription asthma medication to a student on a school campus. Please be aware that a school nurse will not always be available at a campus to administer this medication. “Unassigned asthma medication” means a fast-acting bronchodilator delivered by metered dose inhaler with single use spacer or by nebulizer as a rescue medication, prescribed by an authorized health-care provider in the name of the district with a non-patient-specific standing delegation order for the administration of an asthma medication, and issued by an authorized health-care provider.