Medication Policy for Berkeley Heights School District

Administration of medication during school hours is not encouraged. However, if a physician determines that failure to take medication would jeopardize the health or school attendance of a student, the medication will be given by the school nurse only. No medications other then those deemed necessary for life threatening illness/conditions shall be administered on field trips.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

The Board of Education disclaims any and all responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of the illness of any pupil. At the same time, the Board recognizes that a pupil’s attendance may be contingent upon the timely administration of medication duly prescribed by a physician. The Board will permit the dispensation of medication in school only when the pupil’s health and continuing attendance in school so require and when the medication is administered in accordance with this policy.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, “medication” means any prescription drug or over-the-counter medicine or nutritional supplement, including cough drops.

For the purposes of this policy, “self-administration” means carrying and taking medication without the intervention of the school nurse, approved through the school district policy and restricted to students with asthma and other life-threatening illnesses.

For the purposes of this policy, “life-threatening illness” means an illness or condition that requires an immediate response to specific symptoms or sequelae (an after effect of disease or injury) that if left untreated may lead to potential loss of life, i.e.,adrenaline injection in anaphylaxis. For the purposes of this policy, “a pre-filled single dose auto-injector mechanism containing epinephrine” means a medical device used for the emergency administration of epinephrine to a pupil for anaphylaxis.

For the purposes of this policy, “a noncertified school nurse” means a person who holds a current license as a registered professional nurse from the State Board of Nursing and is employed by the district, and who is not certified as a school nurse by the Department of Education.

For the purposes of this policy, “a substitute school nurse” means a person who holds a current license as a registered professional nurse from the State Board of Nursing and who has been issued a county substitute certificate to serve as a substitute for a certified school nurse in accordance with N.J.A.C.6:11-4.5.

For the purposes of this policy “a school physician” means a physician with a current license to practice medicine or osteopathy from the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners who works under or as an employee of the district. This physician is referred to as the medical inspector in N.J.S.A. 18A:40-4.1.

No medication will be administered to pupils in school except by the school physician, a certified or noncertified school nurse, a substitute school nurse employed by the district, or the pupil’s parent(s), legal guardian(s) or their designee. Medication must be delivered to the school nurse by the pupil’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The medication must be brought to the school nurse in the original container labeled by the pharmacy or physician. Written orders signed by the pupil’s private physician or an advanced practice nurse for the use of a pre-filled single dose auto-injector mechanism containing epinephrine, must be provided stating the name of the medication, the purpose of its administration to the specific pupil for whom it is intended, its proper timing and dosage, its possible side effects, and the time when its use will be discontinued. If written orders for use of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine are provided, the orders must say the pupil requires the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis and does not have the capability for self-administration of the medication. These written orders must be reviewed by the school physician prior to school approval for self-administration of any medication. The school physician may also issue standing orders to the school nurse regarding the administration of medication. Medication no longer required must be promptly removed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

The school nurse shall have the primary responsibility for the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine. However, certified school nurse may designate, in consultation with the Board or Superintendent, another employee of the district trained by the certified school nurse in accord with the “Training Protocols for the Implementation of Emergency Administration of Epinephrine” issued by the New Jersey Department of Education, to administer the pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine when the school nurse is not physically present at the scene. The pupil’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must consent in writing to the designated person, if applicable. In addition, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be informed that the school district has no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine, and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must sign a statement that shall indemnify and hold the district and employees harmless against any claims arising from the administration of a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine. The permission for the emergency administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled single dose auto injector mechanism containing epinephrine to pupils for anaphylaxis is effective for the school year it is granted and must be renewed for each subsequent school year.

Self-administration of medication by pupils is permitted in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.3. A pupil is only permitted to self-administer medication for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses as defined by the Department of Education, New Jersey Statutes Annotated and New Jersey Administrative Code. Permission for self-administration of medication must comply with the conditions set forth in Regulation 5330.

Each school in the district shall have and maintain for the use of pupils at least one nebulizer in the office of the school nurse or a similar accessible location. Each certified school nurse or other persons authorized to administer asthma medication are trained in airway management and in the use of nebulizers and inhalers consistent with the State Department of Education regulations. Every pupil that is authorized to use self-administered asthma medication pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.3 or a nebulizer must have an asthma treatment plan prepared by the pupil’s physician which shall identify, at a minimum, asthma trigger, the treatment plan and other such elements as required by the Department of Education.

All pupil medications shall be appropriately maintained and secured by the school nurse, except those medications to be self-administered by pupils. In those instances, the medication may be retained by the pupil with the prior knowledge of the school nurse. The school nurse may provide the principal and other teaching staff members concerned with the pupil’s educational progress with such information about the medication and its administration as may be in the pupil’s best educational interests. The school nurse may report to the school physician any pupil who appears to be affected adversely by the administration of medication and may recommend to the principal the pupil’s exclusion pursuant to law.
The school nurse shall document each instance of the administration of medication to a pupil. Pupils self-administering medication shall report each incident to a teacher, coach or other individual designated by the school district to be in charge of the pupil during school activities. Such individuals shall report such incidents to the school nurse within twenty-four hours of the self-administration of medication. The school nurse shall preserve records and documentation regarding the self-administration of medication in the pupil’s health file.

N.J.S.A. 18A:6-1.1; 18A:40-3.1; 18A:40-6;18A:40-7; 18A:40-12.3;18A:40-12.4; 18A:40-12.5;
18A:40-12.6; 18A:40-12.7; 18A:40-12.8 N.J.S.A. 45:11-23
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b)

New Jersey Department of Education, Training Protocols for the Implementation of Emergency Administration of
epinephrine, 16 November 1998

Adopted: 9 October 1967Revised: 13 September 1982; 11 February 1991; 11 July 1994;
13 May 1996; 9 June 1997,16 December 1999; 21 March 2002; 18 April 2002

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