4193 MEDICATION POLICY
References: Utah Code Ann. §26-41-101, et. seq.
Utah Code Ann. §53G-9-501, et. Seq.
1) PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
Weber School District seeks to ensure all students are safe at school. It is the intent of Weber School District that all students who need medication at school are able to receive such medication, and that the administration of medication to students complies with state and federal law. The policy also ensures immunity from liability for authorized personnel.
2) POLICY
It is Weber School District’s policy to allow medication to be administered at school under certain conditions. Personnel and students may store, carry, and/or administer medication in accordance with the procedures set forth in this policy. School personnel will not honor Do Not Resuscitate Orders at school or school activities.
3) DEFINITIONS
a) Prescription medications: a pharmaceutical drug that legally requires a medical prescription to be dispensed.
b) Over-the-counter medication: any medication that can be purchased without a prescription from a licensed medical provider. This includes alternative, herbal, or homeopathic substances.
c) School personnel: any person, 18 years or older, who is employed by Weber School District and assigned to a school in the district.
d) School sponsored activity: an activity, field trip, class, program, camp, or clinic that is sponsored by Weber School District
e) Seizure rescue medication: a medication, prescribed by a prescribing health care professional, to be administered as described in a student's seizure rescue authorization, while the student experiences seizure activity.
4) ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL
a) All arrangements for school personnel to administer medication at school are to be made only with the school principal or designated personnel.
b) In addition to the specific procedures for certain medications set forth in the Procedures attached to this Policy, prescription and/or over-the-counter medication may be administered to a student by school personnel only if:
i) The student’s parent or legal guardian has provided a completed, current, signed and dated “Authorization of School Personnel to Administer Medication” form providing for the administration of medication to the student during regular school hours (This request must be updated at the beginning of each school year (within the 1st ten school days) and whenever a change is made in the administration of medication); AND
ii) The student’s licensed medical provider has also signed and dated the “Authorization of School Personnel to Administer Medications” form stating the name, method of administration, dosage, and time to be given, the side effects that may be seen in the school setting from the medication, and a statement that administration of medication by School Personnel during the school day is medically necessary; AND
iii) The medication is delivered to the school by the student’s parent/guardian, or authorized adult. A one week’s supply or more is recommended; AND
iv) The medication is in its original container, clearly labeled with the student’s name and dose. Prescription medication must be properly labeled by a pharmacy. Medication improperly labeled on the container cannot be accepted and/or administered to the student.
c) The side effects of a medication shall determine if the drug is appropriate to delegate its administration to school personnel. Any medication with known, frequent side effects that can be life threatening shall not be delegated. Medications that require the student’s heart rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation to be obtained before, during, or after administration of the drug shall not be administered by school personnel.
d) Narcotic pain medication may not be brought to school, kept at school, nor administered by school personnel.
e) All medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) specified in a student’s IEP, Health Care Plan, or 504 accommodation plan will be administered as outlined in the relevant plan.
f) Administration of medication by school personnel may be discontinued by the school at the school’s discretion any time after notification to the parent/guardian.
i) Discontinuation of administration of medication by school personnel is appropriate under either of the following circumstances:
(1) The parent/guardian has been non-compliant with this Policy; or
(2) The student has been non-compliant with this Policy by refusing medication repeatedly or continued resistance to respond to school personnel for administration of medication at the appointed time
ii) If a student has a 504 or an IEP, the school’s determination to discontinue administration of medication for the above reasons may only occur after meeting with the student’s parent/legal guardian.
g) School personnel will not be required to administer medical cannibas or any derivative thereof, or CBD oil, lotion, or other form of CBD product, to students at school. Students who wish to bring and self-administer CBD products containing zero amounts of THC to school must allow school personnel to store the CBD product in a locked health medication drawer.
5) STUDENT SELF- ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
a) If a student’s parents and medical provider sign and return the appropriate individualized health care plan, and if applicable, associated medical orders, any student with the requisite maturity and competency, as determined by the health plan team or 504 team, may possess and self-administer the following:
i) inhalers
ii) epinephrine auto-injectors
iii) diabetes medication
b) Except for what is provided in 5)a), students in grades kindergarten through grade 6 may not possess or self-administer any other medications. Students needing medications described in 5)a)i) through iii) must have an individualized health care plan.
c) In addition to 5)a), students in grades 7 through 12 may possess and self-administer medication under the following circumstances:
i) The student may only carry one day’s dosage of medication, excluding narcotics; and
ii) The student has the requisite maturity and competency as determined by the health plan team or 504 team; and
iii) For 5)a)i) through iii), a student must also have an individualized health care plan.
d) Students who possess medication not prescribed, or medication not properly labelled, or in Elementary school, medication not listed in 5)a)i) through iii) may be subject to discipline according to policy 5200.
6) SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Each school in Weber School District will comply with the following obligations under this Policy regarding administration of medication to students at school:
