Medication shall not be administered to any student without a completed Medication Order from a physician or dentist licensed to practice medicine in the state of Louisiana or any other state of the United States, or any other authorized prescriber authorized in the state of Louisiana or any other state of the United States to prescribe medication or devices, and a letter of request and authorization from the student's parent or guardian.  The following information shall be included:

The student's name;

The name and signature of the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber;

The physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's business address, office phone number, and emergency phone numbers;

Relevant diagnosis;

Name of medication, amount of each school dose, time of school administration, route of medication, and reason for use of medication; and,

A written statement of the desired effects and the child specific potential adverse effects.

Medication shall be provided to the school by the parent/legal guardian in the container that meets acceptable pharmaceutical standards and shall include the following information:

Name of pharmacy;

Address and telephone number of pharmacy;

Prescription number;

Date dispensed;

Name of student;

Clear directions for use, including the route, frequency, and other as indicated;

Drug name and strength;

Last name and initial of pharmacist;

Cautionary auxiliary labels, if applicable; and,

Physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's name.

Labels of prepackaged medications, when dispensed, shall contain the following information in addition to the regular pharmacy label:

Drug name;

Dosage form;

Strength;

Quantity;

Name of manufacturer and/or distributor; and,

Manufacturer's lot or batch number.

School employees who are required to administer medication and have been trained accordingly may not decline to perform such service at the time indicated except as exempted for reasons as noted in writing by the licensed medical physician or the registered nurse and certified within seventy-two hours of the request for the exemption.

During the period when the medication is administered the person administering medication must be relieved of all other duties.  This requirement does not include the observation period required in Section 2.-F below.

Except in the case of a trained unlicensed diabetes care assistant administering diabetes medications (if applicable) or in life-threatening situations, trained unlicensed school personnel may not administer injectable medications.

All medications must be stored in a secured locked area or locked drawer with limited access except by authorized trained school personnel.

Only oral, inhalant, topical ointment for diaper rash, and emergency medications may be administered at school by unlicensed, but trained, school personnel.  Under special circumstances, other medications not mentioned above may be administered as necessary, as approved by the school nurse.

Each student must be observed by a school employee for a period of 45 minutes following the administration of medication.  This observation may occur during instruction time.

School medication orders shall be limited to medication which cannot be administered before or after school hours.

The school nurse, in collaboration with the principal, shall supervise the implementation of the school policies for the administration of medications in schools to ensure the safety, health and welfare of the students.

The school nurse shall be responsible for the training of non-medical personnel who have been designated by each principal to administer medications in each school.  The training must be at least six (6) hours and include but not be limited to the following provisions:

Proper procedures for administration of medications including controlled substances;

Storage and disposal of medications;

Appropriate and correct record keeping;

Appropriate actions when unusual circumstances or medication reactions occur; and,

Appropriate use or resources.

The parent/legal guardian who wishes medication administered to his/her child at school shall provide the following:

A letter of request and authorization that contains the following information:

The student's name;

Clear instructions for school administration;

Prescription number, if any;

Current date;

Relevant diagnosis;

Name of medication, amount of each school dose, time of school administration, route of medication, and reason for use of medication;

Physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's name;

The parent's/legal guardian's printed name and signature;

Parent's/legal guardian's emergency phone number; and,

Statement granting or withholding release of medical information.

A written order for each medication to be given at school, including annual renewals at the beginning of the school year:

New orders dated before July of that school year shall not be accepted.

No corrections shall be accepted on the physician's/dentist’s/other authorized prescriber’s Medication Order form.  Alteration of this form in any way or falsification of the signature is grounds for prosecution.

Orders for multiple medications on the same form, an incomplete form, or a form with a physician's/dentist's/ other authorized prescriber's stamp shall not be accepted.

Faxed orders may be accepted, provided that original orders are received within five (5) business days.

A prescription for all medications to be administered at school, including medications that might ordinarily be available over-the-counter.  Only the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber or his/her staff may write on the Medication Order form.  This form must be signed by the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber.

A list of all medications that the student is currently receiving at home and school, if that listing is not a violation of confidentiality or contrary to the request of the parent/legal guardian or student.

A list of names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified in case of medication emergency in addition to the parent/legal guardian and licensed physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber.

Arrangements for the safe delivery of the medication to and from school in the properly labeled container as dispensed by the pharmacist; the medication must be delivered by a responsible adult.  The parent/ legal guardian will need to get two (2) containers for each prescription from the pharmacist in order that the parent/legal guardian, as well as the school, will have a properly labeled container.  If the medication is not properly labeled and does not match the physician's order exactly, it will not be given.

All aerosol medications shall be delivered to the school in pre-measured dosage.

Provide no more than a thirty-five (35) school day supply of medication in a properly labeled container to be kept at school.

The initial dose of a medication shall be administered by the student's parent/legal guardian outside the school jurisdiction with sufficient time for observation for adverse reactions.

The parent/legal guardian shall work with those personnel designated to administer medication as follows:

Cooperate in counting the medication with the designated school personnel who receives it and sign the Drug Receipt form;

Cooperate with school staff to provide for safe, appropriate administration of medications to students, such as positioning, and suggestions for liquids or foods to be given with the medication;

Assist in the development of the emergency plan for each student; and,

Comply with written and verbal communication regarding school policies.

Grant permission for school nurse/physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber consultation.

Remove or give permission to destroy unused, contaminated, discontinued, or out-of-date medications according to the school guidelines.

Written authorization for the student to carry and self-administer such prescribed medications.

Written certification from a licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber that the student:

has asthma, diabetes, or is at risk of having anaphylaxis

has received instruction in the proper method of self-administration of the student’s prescribed medications to treat asthma, diabetes, or anaphylaxis

A written treatment plan from the student’s licensed physician or authorized prescriber for managing asthma, diabetes, or anaphylactic episodes.  The treatment plan shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent or other legal guardian, and the student’s physician or other authorized prescriber.  The treatment plan shall contain the following information:

The name, purpose, and prescribed dosage of the medications to be self-administered.

The time or times the medications are to be regularly administered and under what additional special circumstances the medications are to be administered.

The length of time for which the medications are prescribed.

Any other documentation required by the School Board.

A Medication Order from the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber and letter of request and authorization from the student's parent/legal guardian shall be on file and communication with the prescriber has been established.

The school nurse has evaluated the situation and deemed it to be safe and appropriate and has developed a medication administration plan for general supervision.  The administration plan may include observation of the procedure, student health counseling and health instruction regarding the principles of self-care.

The principal and appropriate staff are informed that the student is self-administering the prescribed medication.

The medication is handled in a safe, appropriate manner.

The school principal and the school employed registered nurse determine a safe place for storing the medication.  The medication must be accessible if the student's health needs require it; this information is included in the medication administration plan.

Some medication should have a backup supply readily available.

The student records the medication administration and reports unusual circumstances (as a general rule the student must record all dates and times he/she is self-medicating during school hours.  The medication log shall be kept in the main office where the student shall record this information unless otherwise noted on the student's Individual Administration Plan).

The school employed registered nurse and/or the designated employee monitors the student.

Medication to modify behavior (e.g., Ritalin, when the sustained action form of this medication is not effective.);

Medication for severe allergic reactions (must have specific written instructions from a physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber);

Anticonvulsive medication;

Medication for asthma or diabetes;

Medication given in extenuating circumstances;

Non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs will only be given if medical certification of extenuating circumstances and prescription is obtained;

Antibiotics and other short-term medications will not be given at school, unless so ordered by a physician, dentist, or authorized prescriber;

The school nurse or trained school employee shall have the authority to administer auto-injectable epinephrine, as defined elsewhere in this policy, to a student whom the school nurse or trained school employee believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, whether or not the student has a prescription for epinephrine.  At least one employee at each school shall receive training from a registered nurse or licensed medical physician in the administration of epinephrine; and/or,

Medication required for other specific illnesses.

The school nurse shall have the authority to maintain a supply of Naloxone or other opioid antagonists per La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:436.1(A).  The school nurse or trained school personnel may administer Naloxone or other opioid antagonists to any student or other person on school grounds in the event of an actual or perceived opioid emergency. 

Trained school personnel means a school employee or volunteer who has received training on how to recognize signs of opioid-related overdose, standards and procedures for the storage and administration of Naloxone or another opioid antagonist, and emergency follow up procedures, including the requirement to summon emergency services either immediately before or immediately after administering the Naloxone or other opioid antagonist.

School nurses and other trained school personnel are authorized to administer life-saving medication to a student or other person on school premises or during a school-affiliated activity whom they believe in good faith to be experiencing a medical emergency in accordance with a standing protocol of licensed health professionals authorized to prescribe medication, regardless of whether the student or other person has a prescription for the medication.  Training for the administration of such medication may be provided by a medical emergency training organization, a registered nurse, or a licensed physician.

A detailed evaluation of the student’s level of understanding of his/her condition and his/her ability to manage his/her diabetes;

The diabetes-related healthcare services the student may receive or self-administer at school or during a school-related activity;

A timetable, including dosage instructions, of any diabetes medications to be administered to the student or self-administered by the student; and,

The signature of the student (if age appropriate), the student’s parent or legal guardian, and the physician or other authorized health care prescriber responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment.

The supply of auto-injectable epinephrine to be kept in each classroom.

Written authorization for the student to be administered the medication. 

Written certification from the student's licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber that the student is at high risk of having anaphylaxis and is not capable of self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine. 

A written treatment plan, as defined above from the student's licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber for managing anaphylactic episodes.