Medications
We realize that at times it may be necessary for your child to receive medication during school hours. However, school nurses legally may not administer medications, including over-the-counter medicine (such as Tylenol, Claritin, or Cough Drops), without a specific order from a licensed Pennsylvania practitioner. In order to administer any medications during school hours, the following requirements must be met:
- A licensed practitioner (Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Dentist, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner) must complete the request for administration of medication form. Forms are available from the school nurse or below. A new form must be used for each individual medication and must be updated yearly (after July 1st of the school year). This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, etc). Medication orders may be faxed directly from the physician’s office to 570-668-2970, emailed to Lgehringer@tamaquasd.org, or dropped off at the front office.
If a practitioner is going to fax an order to the school and not use the school’s medication administration form, it must include the student’s name, the practitioner’s name, phone number and signature, the name of the medication, the dosage for the medication (Cannot say as directed by package), the route, the frequency, reason medication is being taken and any potential side effects.
- A parent/guardian must sign the consent section of the form.
- Any medication to be given during school hours MUST be delivered directly to the school nurse by the parent or a responsible adult. The medication must be brought into school in the original, pharmaceutically dispensed and properly labeled container. Any medication brought into school in an envelope or plastic bag will NOT be administered.
- If the medication is changed, a new order is required from the physician.
- All medication is to be maintained and administered in the school health room. No medications are to be kept in the classroom. No student is to carry any type of medication with them in school with the exception of medication for life-threatening conditions (Inhalers, Epinephrine, Diabetic Supplies), provided the necessary requirements are met. Students with asthma inhalers, EpiPens, or Insulin may keep the medication with them to self-administer only if the prescriber determines it is medically necessary and documents the student may self-administer on their medication order. The order and paperwork must be reviewed by the school nurse before a student can self-carry their rescue medications.
Medication will NOT be administered until all forms are properly signed and submitted to the school health office.
Any parent who comes into school to administer medication to his/her own child should do so in the front office and the school nurse should be made aware.
We remain ready to serve those students whose attendance at school would not be possible without medication during school!