Health Services
USD 286 Medication Policy
The supervision of medications shall be in strict compliance with the rules and regulations of the board as carried out by district administrators. K.S.A 72-8252
72-8252. Policies to allow students to self-administer certain medications. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Medication" means a medicine prescribed by a health care provider for the treatment of anaphylaxis or asthma including, but not limited to, any medicine defined in section 201 of the federal food, drug and cosmetic act, inhaled bronchodilators and auto-injectable epinephrine.
(2) "Health care provider" means: (A) A physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse issued a license pursuant to K.S.A. 65-1131, and amendments thereto, who has authority to prescribe drugs as provided by K.S.A. 65-1130, and amendments thereto; or (C) a physician assistant licensed pursuant to the physician assistant licensure act who has authority to prescribe drugs prior to January 11, 2016, pursuant to a written protocol with a responsible physician under K.S.A. 65-28a08, and amendments thereto, and on and after January 11, 2016, pursuant to a written agreement with a supervising physician under K.S.A. 65-28a08, and amendments thereto.
(3) "School" means any public or accredited nonpublic school.
(4) "Self-administration" means a student's discretionary use of such student's medication pursuant to a prescription or written direction from a health care provider.
(b) Each school district shall adopt a policy authorizing the self-administration of medication by students enrolled in kindergarten or any of the grades one through 12. A student shall meet all requirements of a policy adopted pursuant to this subsection. Such policy shall include:
(1) A requirement of a written statement from the student's health care provider stating the name and purpose of the medication; the prescribed dosage; the time the medication is to be regularly administered, and any additional special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered; and the length of time for which the medication is prescribed;
(2) a requirement that the student has demonstrated to the health care provider or such provider's designee and the school nurse or such nurse's designee the skill level necessary to use the medication and any device that is necessary to administer such medication as prescribed. If there is no school nurse, the school shall designate a person for the purposes of this subsection;
(3) a requirement that the health care provider has prepared a written treatment plan for managing asthma or anaphylaxis episodes of the student and for medication use by the student during school hours;
(4) a requirement that the student's parent or guardian has completed and submitted to the school any written documentation required by the school, including the treatment plan prepared as required by paragraph (3) and documents related to liability;
(5) a requirement that all teachers responsible for the student's supervision shall be notified that permission to carry medications and self-medicate has been granted; and
(6) any other requirement imposed by the school district pursuant to this section and K.S.A. 72-8205(e), and amendments thereto.
(c) A school district shall require annual renewal of parental authorization for the self-administration of medication.
(d) A school district, and its officers, employees and agents, which authorizes the self-administration of medication in compliance with the provisions of this section shall not be held liable in any action for damage, injury or death resulting directly or indirectly from the self-administration of medication.
(e) A school district shall provide written notification to the parent or guardian of a student that the school district and its officers, employees and agents are not liable for damage, injury or death resulting directly or indirectly from the self-administration of medication. The parent or guardian of the student shall sign a statement acknowledging that the school district and its officers, employees or agents incur no liability for damage, injury or death resulting directly or indirectly from the self-administration of medication and agreeing to release, indemnify and hold the school and its officers, employees and agents, harmless from and against any claims relating to the self-administration of such medication.
(f) A school district shall require that any back-up medication provided by the student's parent or guardian be kept at the student's school in a location to which the student has immediate access in the event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency.
(g) A school district shall require that information described in subsection (b)(3) and (4) be kept on file at the student's school in a location easily accessible in the event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency.
(h) An authorization granted pursuant to subsection (b) shall allow a student to possess and use such student's medication at any place where a student is subject to the jurisdiction or supervision of the school district or its officers, employees or agents.
(i) A board of education may adopt a policy pursuant to K.S.A. 72-8205(e), and amendments thereto, which:
(1) Imposes requirements relating to the self-administration of medication which are in addition to those required by this section; and
(2) establishes a procedure for, and the conditions under which, the authorization for the self-administration of medication may be revoked.
USD 286 Health & Wellness Procedure
Medication Administration Procedure:
When possible, students should take daily medication at home. If it is necessary to take the medication during school hours then the following conditions must be met:
- Medication must be brought to school in the original container with the appropriate label intact, all bottles must include the following:
- Name of the student
- Name of the medication
- Dosage and time of the current medication
- Current diagnosis
- Current prescription date
- Expected duration of treatment
- Medication to be kept in nurse’s office in a lock box
- Initial dose shall not be given at school
- Medication should not be kept in the student’s vehicle.
- This includes prescription medication
- And non-prescription (Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc.)
- If medication is not properly labeled, it may not be taken.
- All medication (OTC and prescription) must be kept in the nurse’s office.
- The school nurse or designated person will supervise the taking of medication.
- A record will be kept by school personnel of all medication taken at school.
- Medication taken over 14 days will need a medication permission form completed.
- USD 286 medication form will be signed by physician and parent/guardian for each medication prescribed before being dispensed at school. If the parent/guardian and/or physician will not sign the medication form the medication will not be dispensed. (Form to be provided by the school nurse.)
- If the medication changes during the school year the parent/guardian will be responsible for notifying the school nurse
- New forms will need to be completed at the beginning of each school year, when a medication is changed, and not to be dated before July 1st of the current year
- Changes in medication, dosage, and/or time, method of administration, shall be accompanied by a newly labeled container and parent/guardian permission, along with a new physician order. The request need to include the following:
- Name of student to receive new medication
- Reason for medication
- Name of medication to be administered
- Dosage/amount to be given
- Times to be given
- Expected duration of treatment
- All medications must be kept in a locked and/or secured container or cabinet.
- Discontinued or unused medication will be sent home with the student and/or picked up by the parent/guardian. The RN shall destroy the medication not picked up. All class two medications not picked up will be destroyed by the RN with a witness present.
- Medications that must be administered on a field trip should be placed in a waterproof bag and labeled clearly with the students name, medication dose and time of administration.
- It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide and maintain an appropriate supply of medication at school.
- Medication requests must be updated at the beginning of each school year.
- Over the counter (OTC) (Non-prescription) medication, Natural and Homeopathic remedies will NOT be administered at school.
- No Narcotics including: Percocet, Percodan, Oxycodone, Codeine, or other opioids to be administered at school even with a valid prescription. These medications will be not be given due to:
- These medications can cause drowsiness, dizziness and lightheadedness, making it difficult for students to concentrate on school work or participate in school activities.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for:
- Verbalizing request for medication administration to school nurse
- Supplying medication in the original container with current date
- Authorizing school health services personnel to exchange information with the attending physician and personnel from the dispensing pharmacy
The school nurse is responsible for:
- Keeping medications locked in specially designed cabinet and/or small container for refrigeration.
- Counting all regulated medications when received, weekly thereafter, verifying with at least one other adult (lawful custodian or school employee).
- Initiating a medication order.
- Instructing unlicensed school personnel who have been identified as necessary to implement the administration plan and documenting training and supervision according to the delegation regulations of the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
- Observing students for desired and potential effects.
- Completion of required medication documentation.
- Providing necessary feedback to lawful custodian and physician.
- Providing stock medications.
Self-Carry Medications
- Inhalers: Students grade 6th-12th are able to self carry inhalers with the appropriate form and consents on file, grades Pre-K through 5th are required to leave in the nurse’s office. Medication forms must be completed for all inhalers at the beginning of each school year.
- Forms to include:
- The name and purpose of the medication
- The prescribed dosage
- The conditions under which the medication is to be self administered
- Any additional special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered
- The length of time for which the medication is prescribed
- Forms to include:
- Epi Pens: Students grade 6th-12th are able to self carry epinephrine pens with the appropriate form and consents on file, grades Pre-K through 5th are required to leave in the nurse’s office. Medication forms must be completed for all epi-pens at the beginning of each school year.
- Forms to include:
- The name and purpose of the medication
- The prescribed dosage
- The conditions under which the medication is to be self administered
- Any additional special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered
- The length of time for which the medication is prescribed
- The school district and it employees which authorize the self-administration of medication in compliance with the provisions of this policy, shall not be liable in any action for any injury resulting from the self-administration of medication, and written notification is provided to the parents/guardians.
- All teachers responsible for the student’s supervision shall be notified that permission to carry medications and self-administrator has been granted.
- Parents/guardians shall sign the waiver of liability provided on the “authorization for Self-Administration of Emergency Asthma/Allergy Medication Form”.
Special Diet Considerations:
Children who have special dietary needs must send a written note signed by the physician to have substitutions made for breakfast, lunch, class parties, or snacks.
Sick Day Guidelines:
- Symptoms Requiring Absence and Immediate Pickup if at School
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash with fever
- Contagious rash
- Fever: Requires staying home until fever-free for 24 hours without the assistance of fever-reducing medications (ibuprofen and Tylenol).
- Vomiting/Diarrhea: Recommended to stay home 24 hours after illness subsides.
Communicable Diseases and/or Other Health Concerns
- COVID 19: (USD 286 will follow KDHE & CDC guidelines)
- Flu A & B: (USD 286 will follow KDHE & CDC guidelines)
- Excluded for 5 days or until fever free for 24 hours
- Ringworm of the skin: May return to school if receiving medical treatment
- Measles: (USD 286 to follow KDHE and CDC guidelines)
- Excluded for 4 days following the onset of rash if vaccinated
- If student is unvaccinated the student will be excluded from school for 21 days following the last exposure to an infectious case
- Chickenpox: (USD 286 to follow KDHE and CDC guidelines)
- Can return to school when vesicles have dried and crusted over, approximately between 5-10 days
- If student is unvaccinated the student will be excluded from school for 21 days following the last exposure to an infectious case
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): (USD 286 to follow KDHE and CDC guidelines)
- Excluded from school until 24 hours after medical treatment has begun
- Impetigo: (USD 286 to follow KDHE and CDC guidelines)
- May return to school once receiving medical treatment
- Hand, Foot and Mouth: (USD 286 to follow KDHE and CDC guidelines)
- Usually lasting 5-10 days
- May return to school when fever free for 24 hours without the assistance of medications, feel well enough to participate in class, and have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores
- Head Lice:
- Active Lice (Live Lice Present)
- Parent/guardian will be notified.
- Student must be picked up immediately and stay home for the rest of the day.
- Nits Only (No Live Lice)
- Parent/guardian will be informed.
- Student may either be picked up early or remain in class.
- Return to School After Treatment
- After using an antiparasitic shampoo, student may return the following day.
- The school nurse (or appointee) will check the student's head.
- If No Live Lice Are Found
- Student can return to class immediately.
- If Live Lice Are Still Present
- Student returns home for additional treatment.
- Must remain home for the rest of the day.
- Follow-Up Checks
- Students will be rechecked regularly for up to two weeks.
- Monitoring continues until nits are no longer viable or hatching.
- Screening & Notifications:
- No mass or classroom screenings unless deemed necessary by the nurse.
- Head lice notices are not sent home for every case.
**All of these policies and procedures are at the discretion of the school nurse and/or administration.
School Nurse Contact Info:
Lacie Hubert
(620) 725-5611 ext. 215
(620) 725-3186 ext. 215