Mercer County Head Start Policies and Procedures

P/P Topic: Medication P/P #: 028 Administration Part: 1304 PC Approval Date: 10/23/2008 1308 Subpart: Early Childhood Last Reviewed Date: 01/27/2011 Development and Health Services / Children with Disabilities Section Title(s): Child Health and Implementation Direct Service Staff Development Responsibility: Health and Nutrition Services / Children Coordinator with Disabilities Health Services Related 1304.22(c)(1)-(6), Monitoring Health and Nutrition Performance (d)(1); Responsibility: Coordinator and Standard(s): 1308.18 (c)(d) Executive Director

(A) Policy Written procedures regarding the administration, handing, documentation and storage of medications that has been prescribed by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner for enrolled children as well as staff and volunteers have been established and are maintained as documented below. It is our policy to cooperate with the parent/guardian and his/her physician by administering medication as ordered during the school day. A safe, locked place for medication storage will be provided. The health of children, families and staff is safeguarded by the proper storage and administration of medication. (B) Responsibility Health and Nutrition Coordinator

(C) Procedure  The Health and Nutrition Coordinator must receive a written request from a physician stating that a specific over the counter or prescription drug may be administered to a student during school hours. This request must be signed by the parent/guardian and prescribing physician.  The written verification from the physician must contain all of the following items of information 1. The child’s name, address and telephone number 2. The physician’s name, address, and telephone number 3. The teacher’s name, site location, and session (am/pm) 4. The name of the drug and the dosage to be administered 5. The times and intervals at which each dosage is to be administered 6. The date that the administration of the drug is to begin 7. The date that the administration of the drug is to end 8. Any severe adverse reactions which should be reported to the doctor, and a telephone number where to reach 1 the physician in an emergency 9. Special instructions for administering, storing, or sterile conditions of the drug.  The parents/guardians must agree to submit a revised doctor’s statement if any of the information required under previous bullet should change.  The Health and Nutrition Coordinator will complete a Plan of Action (POA) involving the parent, teacher, and any other staff involved in the administration of this medication. This POA will be on file in the classroom, bus, kitchen (if appropriate) child’s file, advocate file, and Health and Nutrition Coordinator file.  The employee instructed and authorized to administer the drug must receive it in the original, sealed container in which it was dispensed by the doctor or pharmacist. No other containers will be accepted. This medication must be delivered to the teacher by parent and is not permitted to be transported by child in book bags or by other means on the bus  No medications past its expiration date will be administered. Contact parent/guardian regarding this issue.  All prescription and over-the-counter medications will be stored in a locked storage box either in the room out of the reach of children or when necessary, on the bottom shelf of designated refrigerator not used or freely accessible to students.  The Health and Nutrition Coordinator is available for assistance in educating staff in administration, storage, and documenting medications.  The employee administering the medication during school hours must document the following on the Medication Administration Documentation Log provided: 1. Date of dosage 2. Time of dosage 3. Amount of drug given 4. Signature of employee administering medication 5. Any comments or observations made regarding child  Documentation will be kept in or near locked storage container containing the medication. Completed forms will be kept in child’s file.  Medication Administration and Medication Log forms will be used.