Nurse's Clinic » Medication Information and Forms

Medication Information and Forms

Many medications prescribed for school-aged children can be administered at home by the child’s parent or legal guardian. For example, if a medication is to be administered three times a day, it can be given every eight hours. Most students are not in school for more than eight hours, and therefore, parents/guardians should consider administering medication before and after school, and then at bedtime. The school nurse may help parent/guardian(s) work with their student’s health care provider to adjust the schedule so that the parent/guardian may administer the medication at home. When medication administration is required during the school day, school health staff (typically the school nurse) or the principal’s designee are responsible for medication administration. 

In order to administer medications during the school day, the following procedures must be followed (this applies to prescription and over the counter medications) 

  • A parent/guardian MUST bring the medication to and from the school nurse
  • Medications (prescription, over-the-counter and herbal) may not be carried by the student to and from school or while attending school or school events. The only exceptions are inhalers & epinephrine and this requires proper documentation and coordination with the nurse
  • All medications must be in the student’s valid prescription bottle with the student’s name, the name and dose of the medication, directions for administration
  • For over-the-counter medications they must be in the original, unopened container and parental consent via signature is still needed. (see list below for approved over-the-counter medications)
  • A medication/treatment administration request must be completed by the physician and parent each school year and whenever there is a medication and/or dose change
  • Medications WILL NOT be sent home with students. All medications must be picked up by a parent/guardian at the end of the school year or they will be destroyed
  • Valid prescription labels will be accepted as a physician’s order for no longer than 5 days
  • Please provided appropriate and up to date (every school year or when changed) care plans as indication (Asthma Action Plan, Seizure Action Plan, Diabetes Action Plan, FAAP (Food & Allergy Action Plan)
  • All medications considered a controlled substance must be counted by the staff and the parent when the medication is delivered or picked up. NO MORE THAN A MONTH'S SUPPLY WILL BE ACCEPTED AND STORED AT THE SCHOOL. 

 

For the student with Asthma, Allergy and Anaphylaxis  

According to The Student-Parent Code of Conduct (pg. 84) “a student with asthma or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school‐related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parent and a physician or other licensed health‐care provider.” Parents are responsible for picking up the medication at the end of the school year and new medications and forms must be resubmitted at the beginning of each school year. 

So if your student has asthma/allergy you have three options. 

  • If they self-carry their epi-pen or inhaler the physician must indicate the ability to do so on the form along with their signature and parent’s signature. A copy must be sent or brought to the clinic. You can send it with your student, fax it to (210) 368-8731 (Attn: Cole Clinic) or email it to [email protected] 
  • If your student does not self-carry the parent needs to bring the medication to the clinic along with the care plan so we can have it in the clinic.
  • If your student has asthma or an allergy but does not require the use of a medication, please communicate this to us. 
 
For the student with Seizure History
If your student has a seizure history it is important that the school nurse is aware and has the proper paperwork on file in the office at the beginning of the school year. Even if they do not require medication use at school this needs to be turned in and it must be updated each school year. There are 2 forms that should be submitted. One form (1 page) is completed by the physician and the other (2 pages) is completed by the parent (see below for attachments).
 
 

Over-The-Counter Standing Order Protocol

  • Nurse may administer ibuprofen 200-400 mg orally as needed for menstrual cramps
  • Nurse may administer Tylenol 325 mg tabs-2 tabs/ Tylenol 500 mg 1 tab every 4-6 hours as needed for headache or dental/orthodontia pain
  • Nurse may administer Ibuprofen 200 mg 1-2 tabs as needed for headache or dental/orthodontia pain
  • A parent will need to provide the unopened bottle of Tylenol or Ibuprofen to the clinic and sign the form
  •  

Contact Nurse Kraemer at the Cole Clinic for any questions. 210-368-8746 or at

[email protected]