The Board of Trustees recognizes that during the school day, some students may need to take medication prescribed or ordered by an authorized health care provider to be able to fully participate in the educational program. The Superintendent or designee shall develop processes for the administration of medication to these students. For any student with a disability, as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, necessary medication shall be administered in accordance with the student's individualized education program or Section 504 services plan.
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)
If a parent/guardian chooses, he/she may administer the medication to his/her child at school or designate in writing another individual who is not a school employee to do so on his/her behalf.
(cf. 1250 - Visitors/Outsiders)
(cf. 6116 - Classroom Interruptions)
In addition, upon written request by the parent/guardian and with the approval of the student's authorized health care provider, a student with a medical condition that requires frequent treatment, monitoring, or testing may be allowed to self-administer, self-monitor, and/or self-test. The student shall observe universal precautions in the handling of blood and other bodily fluids.
(cf. 5141 - Health Care and Emergencies)
(cf. 5141.22 - Infectious Diseases)
(cf. 5141.23 - Asthma Management)
(cf. 5141.27 - Food Allergies/Special Dietary Needs)
Administration of Medication by School Personnel
Any medication prescribed by an authorized health care provider, including an emergency antiseizure medication for a student with epilepsy, may be administered by the school nurse or other designated school personnel only when the Superintendent or designee has received written statements from both the student's parent/guardian and authorized health care provider. (Education Code 49414.7, 49423; 5 CCR 600)
School nurses and other designated school personnel shall administer medications in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation and shall be afforded appropriate liability protection.
(cf. 3530 - Risk Management/Insurance)
(cf. 4119.42/4219.42/4319.42 - Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens)
(cf. 4119.43/4219.43/4319.43 - Universal Precautions)
Only a school nurse or other school employee with an appropriate medical license may administer an insulin injection to a student. In the event that no such licensed school personnel is available, the district may contract with a licensed nurse from a public or private agency to administer insulin to the student.
(cf. 5141.24 - Specialized Health Care Services)
When unlicensed personnel are authorized by law to administer a medication, such as emergency antiseizure medication, epinephrine auto-injector, or glucagon, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that school personnel designated to administer it to students receive appropriate training from qualified medical personnel before any medication is administered. At a minimum, the training shall cover how and when such medication should be administered, the recognition of symptoms and treatment, emergency follow-up procedures, and the proper documentation and storage of medication. Such trained, unlicensed designated school personnel shall be supervised by and provided with emergency communication access to a school nurse, physician, or other appropriate individual.
The Superintendent or designee shall maintain documentation of the training, ongoing supervision, as well as annual written verification of competency of such other designated school personnel.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
In an emergency situation such as a public disaster or epidemic, a trained, unlicensed district employee may administer medication to a student.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
48980 Notification at beginning of term
49407 Liability for treatment
49408 Emergency information
49414 Emergency epinephrine auto-injectors
49414.5 Providing school personnel with voluntary emergency training
49414.7 Emergency medical assistance: administration of epilepsy medication
49422-49427 Employment of medical personnel, especially:
49423 Administration of prescribed medication for student
49423.1 Inhaled asthma medication
49480 Continuing medication regimen; notice
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
2700-2837 Nursing, especially:
2726 Authority not conferred
2727 Exceptions in general
3501 Definitions
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
600-611 Administering medication to students
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
COURT DECISIONS
American Nurses Association v. O'Connell, (2010) 185 Cal.App.4th 393
Management Resources:
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS
Glucagon Training Standards for School Personnel: Providing Emergency Medical Assistance to Pupils with Diabetes, May 2006
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LEGAL ADVISORIES
Legal Advisory on Rights of Students with Diabetes in California's K-12 Public Schools, August 2007
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Training Standards for the Administration of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, December 2004
NATIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS
Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel, June 2003
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org
California Department of Education, Health Services and School Nursing: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn
National Diabetes Education Program: http://www.ndep.nih.gov
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Blood Institute, asthma information: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/index.htm#asthma
Policy ROSS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: April 6, 2012 San Anselmo, California