Administrative Procedure 316

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION TO STUDENTS

Background

Students who are on medication which they have to take during school hours are to be treated with the utmost care. In order to avoid any confusion over what is or is not required, the procedures for the administration of medication are to be strictly followed:

Procedures

1. The Principal shall make every effort to obtain from parents a statement of the child’s health and safety needs at the beginning of each school year, along with information concerning any allergies.
2. In an emergency situation, all staff are expected to act as responsible parents in the administration of medication in any form to any child.
3. Non-Severe Allergies and Medical Conditions
3.1 Parents may request that medication be administered to a child during school hours. Such requests shall:
3.1.1 Be in writing; issued by a medical practitioner or pharmacist.
3.1.2 Specify the time(s) at which such medication is to be administered.
3.1.3 Specify the exact dosage and method of administration.
3.1.4 Specify the duration of the treatment.
3.1.5 Outline procedures to be followed in case of suspected adverse reaction.
3.2 No employee shall administer any prescription medication to any student unless the above conditions have been met.
3.3 Wherever possible, parental permission is to be obtained before administering any medication to a child where doubt exists that:
3.3.1 It is necessary.
3.3.2 It is in the best interests of the child.
4. Severe Allergies And Medical Conditions
4.1 Responsibilities of Parent(s)
When a student has a life threatening medical condition such as epilepsy, allergy to insects, peanuts and/or other food, other allergens, etc., the parent shall:
4.1.1 Inform the Principal of their child’s allergies using the Severe Allergy and Medical Condition Alert Form including medical instructions from the student’s physician;
4.1.2 Ensure that the Form is kept current;
4.1.3 Provide the Principal with one (1) up-to-date application of the prescription medication to be stored in a safe access storage established by the Principal, and clearly marked with the student’s name, known allergen and telephone number;
4.1.4 Provide one (1) up-to-date application of the medication to be carried by the student, to be clearly
marked with the student’s name, known allergen and telephone number;
4.1.5 Check expiry dates of medication and injectors and replace them as necessary;
4.1.6 Provide and require their child to wear medic alert bracelet at all times;
4.1.7 Communicate with the Principal to discuss their child’s medication needs and effects (include as
many details as possible), and indicate special tips that have been effective at home;
4.1.8 Secure specific instruction(s) from the child’s physician for staff members who may be required to
apply respiratory equipment or give injections (i.e. use of an EpiPen® for students with life
threatening allergies), including the following information:
4.1.8.1. Detailed emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a reaction;
4.1.8.2. Name of medication;
4.1.8.3. Dosage;
4.1.8.4. Method of administration;
4.1.8.5. Possible side effects;
4.1.8.6. Special storage instructions; and
4.1.8.7. Time frame in which medication must be received.
4.1.9 Notify the Principal, in writing, of all changes of medication given at the school (e.g.
dosage, new medication or discontinued medication).
4.1.10 Teach their children:
4.1.10.1 To recognize the first symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction or the respective
medical condition;
4.1.10.2 To know where the medication is kept and who can get it;
4.1.10.3 To communicate clearly when they feel a reaction starting;
4.1.10.4 To carry their own auto-injector with them;
4.1.10.5 Not to share snacks, lunches or drinks;
4.1.10.6 The importance of hand-washing;
4.1.10.7 To report bullying and threats to an adult in authority; and
4.1.10.8 To take as much responsibility as possible for their safety.
4.1.11 If the child has a severe allergy, the parent will:
4.1.11.1 Provide appropriate snacks and lunches for the student.
4.1.11.2 Advise the bus driver of the student’s severe allergies
4.1.11.3 In cooperation with the Principal and classroom teacher, implement a “buddy”
system to identify unusual behaviour                                                            4.2 Responsibilities of the Principal
With the consent of the parent, the Principal and the classroom teacher may provide the student’s classmates
with information on the life-threatening medical conditions in a manner that is appropriate for the age and
maturity level of students. The Principal shall:
4.2.1 Ensure that the parent(s) have completed the Severe Allergy and Medical Condition Alert Form;
4.2.2 Provide parents with this Administrative Procedure;
4.2.3 Ensure that an emergency response plan, based on the physician’s instructions on the Severe
Allergy and Medical Condition Alert Form, is developed and reviewed annually for each student with
a life- threatening allergy;
4.2.4 Ensure that all who may be involved with the student (e.g. school staff, volunteers, bus drivers,
and substitutes) are informed concerning any required emergency procedures and have received
training in the use of an auto-injector;
4.2.5 Place the Severe Allergy and Medical Condition Alert Form in a prominent place accessible to all
staff but which provides a reasonable level of confidentiality for the student (i.e. staff room bulletin
board);
4.2.6 Require the parent to provide the Principal with two (2) up-to-date applications of the student’s
medication, one for the safe access storage space and one to be carried by the student (as
appropriate for age and ability);
4.2.7 As soon as possible, advise all staff members of the students who have a potentially
life-threatening medical condition;
4.2.8 Ensure that students are educated (e.g. home rooms/student assemblies) on how to respond to lifethreatening
allergic reactions (as appropriate for age and ability);
4.2.9 Ensure that, in the case of a field trip, staff, the parent or a designated adult who is acquainted with
the procedure, accompany the student on the field trip and bring a copy of the Severe Allergy and
Medical Condition Alert Form along with the up-to-date application of the student’s medication and
any emergency medications/supplies;
4.2.10 In the event that a parent does not want the student to carry emergency medications/supplies on
the student’s person, the Principal is to ensure there is a safe, easy and central access to the
medication by all staff;
4.2.11 Ensure the development of a documentation system relative to:
4.2.11.1 Medication storage; and
4.2.11.2 Medication changes.
4.2.12 Store auto-injectors in easily accessible locations;
4.2.13 Ensure that copies of the Severe Allergy and Medical Condition Alert Form are available in the
“Student Life-threatening Condition Folder” (or binder) in the Office and the Student’s record.                                                                                   4.2.14 In cooperation with the parent(s) and classroom teacher, implement a “buddy” system to identify
unusual behaviour; and
4.2.15 Work with the School Council to increase community awareness of anaphylaxis and the role of the
School in protecting students with life- threatening allergies and medical conditions.
4.2.16 Storage of Medication
4.2.16.1 Each Principal will ensure that medication is stored in a secure, central location
where students do not have access.
4.2.16.2 Medication that requires immediate administration (allergy) or student selfadministered
medication will be stored in a secure location in the classroom.
4.2.16.3 All medication brought to the School shall be in the original, labelled container.
4.2.16.4 Each Principal will ensure that where applicable a sharps container will be installed
at the School. A sharps container is a specially-designed container that is used to store used medical equipment such as needles.
4.3 Responsibilities of the Student
The student’s role can vary from “being aware of the need for medication” to “self- managing their medication
with adult supervision” depending on their age and developmental stage.

The student shall:
4.3.1 To the extent possible, manage their medical needs within the School and participate in the
development and revision of their medication place.
4.3.2 Ensure (as appropriate for age and ability) that all correspondence from the parents is given to
the appropriate staff person at the school.
4.3.3 As appropriate for age and ability, bring home written information from the school and give it to
their parents.
4.3.4 Students with severe allergies and/or medical conditions must:
4.3.4.1 Take as much responsibility as possible for avoiding allergens (as appropriate
for age and ability);
4.3.4.2 Eat only food brought from home unless authorized by the parents in writing;
4.3.4.3 Take responsibility for checking labels and monitoring intake (as appropriate for
age and ability);
4.3.4.4 Wash their hands before eating;
4.3.4.5 Learn to recognize symptoms of a severe allergic reaction;
4.3.4.6 Promptly inform a teacher or an adult as soon as accidental ingestion or exposure
to an allergen occurs or symptoms or a severe allergic reaction appear;
4.3.4.7 Keep an injector or medication handy at all times; and                4.3.4.8 As appropriate for age and ability, know how to use an injector or take medication.
4.3.5 The foregoing statement of this Administrative Procedure does not apply to medication by injection
on a regular basis (e.g. diabetic condition). Most diabetics, even very young students, are capable
of managing their own sugar and insulin intake. The parent is to advise the community health nurse
so that the health education of the student and the classroom teacher may be reinforced.
4.4 Responsibilities of the Teacher and Staff
4.4.1 Participate in the review of the individual plan for students with life- threatening
allergies or medical conditions in his/her classroom;
4.4.2 Discuss the life-threatening allergies or medical conditions including if appropriate
anaphylaxis with the class in age-appropriate terms;
4.4.3 Encourage students not to share lunches or trade snacks;
4.4.4 Choose allergy-free foods for classroom events;
4.4.5 Establish procedures to ensure that the anaphylactic student eats only what they bring from home;
4.4.6 Reinforce hand washing before and after eating;
4.4.7 Facilitate communication with other parents;
4.4.8 In cooperation with the parent(s) and the Principal, implement a “buddy” system to identify unusual behaviour;
4.4.9 Follow the School procedures for reducing risk in classrooms and common areas;
4.4.10 Enforce rules about bullying and threats;
4.4.11 Leave information in an organized, prominent and accessible format for substitute teachers,
parent volunteers or others who may have occasional contact; and
4.4.12 Plan appropriately for field trips by:
4.4.12.1 Ensuring that emergency response plans are considered; and
4.4.12.2 Ensuring that auto-injectors are taken.
4.5 Responsibilities of Bus Drivers
4.5.1 Attend in-service sessions provided by the School; learn to watch for symptoms of an anaphylactic, severe allergy, and/or medical condition reaction;
4.5.2 Receive training in the use of an auto-injector;
4.5.3 Carry a copy of the emergency alert form on the school bus, displayed in a prominent location;
4.5.4 Ensure that the Principal and/or parent(s) are informed if a trained driver is unavailable;
4.5.5 Assist in developing procedures to minimize risk while traveling on the school bus;                                                                                                    4.5.6 Assist in developing an emergency action plan that relates directly to busing;
4.5.7 Carry out emergency action plan as necessary; and
4.5.8 Ensure that an auto-injector is stored in a safe and accessible place on the bus or that the child
carries an auto-injector in an identified location while on the school bus.
4.6 Responsibilities of All Parents
4.6.1 Respond cooperatively to requests from the Principal to eliminate allergens from packed lunches
and snacks;
4.6.2 Participate in parent information sessions;
4.6.3 Encourage children to respect anaphylactic student and School procedures; and
4.6.4 Inform the teacher prior to distribution of food products to any student in the School.
4.7 Responsibilities of All Students
4.7.1 Learn to recognize symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction;
4.7.2 Avoid sharing food, especially with anaphylactic students;
4.7.3 Follow School rules about keeping allergens out of the classroom and washing hands; and
4.7.4 Refrain from bullying or teasing a child with a severe allergy.

References: Section 3, 7, 11, 25, 26, 33, 52, 53, 196, 197, 222, 225 Education
Act Emergency Medical Aid Act
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Emergency Medical Aid Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Guidelines for Child/Student Focused Medication Management (CSFMM) In Preschool and School
Settings – Alberta Health Services