With the exception of diabetes care covered under Board Policy 5336, the administration of prescribed medication and/or medically-prescribed treatments to a student during school hours will be permitted only when failure to do so would jeopardize the health of the student, the student would not be able to attend school if the medication or treatment were not made available during school hours, or if the child is disabled and requires medication to benefit from his/her educational program. Parents should determine with their licensed prescriber whether the medication schedule can be adjusted to avoid administering medication during school hours.
“Medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.
Before any medication (i.e., a drug) or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require a Gahanna-Jefferson Public School prescription medication authorization form (or similar form containing the requirements specified in ORC 3313.713) completed and signed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe medication and the student’s parent/legal guardian. Before any over the counter medication or treatment may be administered, the Board shall require a District over-the-counter medication form completed and signed by the student’s parent/legal guardian. These documents shall be kept on file in the clinic and made available to the persons designated by this policy as authorized to administer medication or treatment. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and of the Student Code of Conduct/Discipline Code.
In accordance with ORC 3313.713, the following information must be included on the medication forms:
- Name and address of student;
- School and class in which student is enrolled;
- Name of the medication and the dosage to be administered;
- Times or intervals at which each dose of the medication is to be administered;
- Date the administration of the medication is to begin;
- Date the administration of the medication is to cease;
- Any severe adverse reactions should be reported to the prescriber and one or more phone numbers at which the prescriber can be reached in an emergency;
- Special instruction for administration of the medication, including sterile conditions and storage.
In addition, the medication must be brought to school, by a parent or other responsible adult, in the original container. The instructions on the medication label must match the information given by the prescriber on the medication form. Each medication must have a separate form. Any change in dosage will require a new form to be completed by the prescriber and parent before the new dosage can be given. A new prescription bottle with the correct pharmacy label must be provided to the school. If liquid medications are prescribed, the parent must provide an accurate measuring spoon. Other than self-possession and epinephrine autoinjectors, any students authorized to attend to their diabetes care and management pursuant to Policy 5336, all medication administration must take place in the presence of an authorized staff member or the student’s parent.
Medication shall be stored in a locked location in the clinic unless the medications require refrigeration. Then the medication shall be stored in the refrigerator in a place not commonly used by students. If the medication to be administered is diabetes medication, it must be kept in an easily accessible location pursuant to Policy 5336.
If the student is cognitively and developmentally capable of possessing and self-administering an asthma inhaler or epinephrine autoinjector, their healthcare provider has provided the student with training regarding the proper use of said inhaler/autoinjector and a District Authorization for Student Possession and use of an Asthma Inhaler form or Authorization for Student Possession and Use of an Epinephrine Autoinjector form completed and signed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe medication and the student’s parent/legal guardian has been provided to the school nurse, students shall be permitted to carry and use, as necessary, an asthma inhaler or an epinephrine autoinjector to treat anaphylaxis. This permission shall extend to any activity, or program sponsored by the school or in which the school participates. In the event epinephrine is administered by the student or a school employee or at any of the covered events, a school employee shall immediately request assistance from an emergency medical service provider (911). In the case of an epinephrine autoinjector, the parent/guardian is encouraged to provide a back-up dose of the medication to the school nurse. In addition, students with diabetes may attend to their diabetic care and management in accordance with Policy 5336.
With the exception of diabetes care covered under Policy 5336, the Board shall permit the administration of any emergency requiring intravenous injection by a licensed nurse and the administration by a licensed nurse or other authorized staff member of any medication requiring intravenous or intramuscular injection or the insertion of a device into the body when both the medication and the procedure are prescribed by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe medication and the nurse/staff member has completed any and all necessary training.
Prescription & Nonprescription Medication Form
Inhaler Self-Carry Form
Epinephrine Self-Carry Form
Overnight Trip (District Sponsored) Medication Form
