Guidelines
When possible, families should make arrangements so it is not necessary for school personnel to administer a medication to a student. However, there are cases when a student’s health could be compromised by not getting medication during school hours. When sending any prescription or non-prescription medication to school each year, families must send:
- Written permission (see form, above) authorizing personnel to administer medication.
- A written order from the physician (see form, above) indicating the necessity of any medication, including does are how often it can be given. The physician may fax the order to the school.
- The medication must be in the original labeled container. For prescription medication, the pharmacist will supply a duplicate labeled container so one can be kept at home and one can be kept at school. Each container should have the pharmacy phone number, student’s name, physician’s name, medication’s name, dosage, time to be given and route (oral, inhaled, etc.).
Storage
Medication to be administered at school is to be kept in the Health Office. Exceptions are students who may carry an asthma inhaler or an epipen, if they have a written doctor’s order, written parent/guardian permission to do so and have demonstrated to the school nurse competency in administration.
Half Tablets
Health Services Staff are not responsible for breaking tablets in half. This will not be done at school. When there is a physician's order to give half tablets, please speak with your pharmacist.
Field Trips
If your student takes daily or as-needed medication, you will be receiving a form to complete indicating whether or not there is a need for this medication on field trips. Health Services Staff do not routinely accompany students on field trips and a teacher may be responsible for administration of medication.
End-of-School-Year Procedure
Robbinsdale Area Schools does not send medications home with students during the school year, including the last day of school. On the last day of school, students are only allowed to self-carry prescription asthma inhalers and non-syringe injectors of epinephrine home from school.
Families are responsible for picking up all other student medications directly from the Health Office. Medications not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded as pharmaceutical waste. Only bring enough medication to last through the final day of school to prevent unnecessary disposal of student medication.
