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Administering Medication

 

If it is necessary for a student to take over the counter or prescription medicine during school hours, the school nurse or designee of the principal may administer the medication when the following requirements are met:

Prescription Medications:

  • The law (A.R.S. 15-344) requires medication to be delivered to the nurse by a responsible adult and not the student.
  • Medication must be in the original container prepared by the pharmacist.
  • An HUSD annual medication form will need to be completed by the parent/guardian giving permission for school personnel to administer the medicine to your student. This form must be signed by the student’s provider.

Non-Prescription/Over the Counter Drugs:

  • The law (A.R.S. 15-344) requires medication to be provided and delivered to the nurse by a responsible adult and not the student.
  • Medication must be in the original, unopened container as packaged by the manufacturer and labeled with the student’s name.
  • An HUSD annual form will need to be completed by the parent giving permission for school personnel to administer the medicine to your student. 

When parent/guardian register student(s) for enrollment, annual consent must be provided online or on paper, for school nurses to administer the following over the counter medications and treatments during certain school hours:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin)
  • Cough drops
  • Chloraseptic lozenges or spray
  • Anbesol/Orajel
  • Carmex or Vaseline or Lip balm
  • Eye wash
  • Antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, neosporin)
  • Calamine lotion
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Aloe Vera
  • Sting relief
  • Heating pad, rice pack, warm compress or ice pack treatments
  • For EMERGENCY ONLY: Benadryl

School Nurses or personnel appointed by the School Administrator will not administer over-the-counter medications more than three times a week for the same issue/condition without a Provider note stating the recommendation to give more frequently. In addition, medications will not be administered the first hour of school day or the last hour of school day to avoid over medication and harm to student(s) health.  

All medication/inhalers from home must be stored and locked in the nurse’s office unless special arrangements are made with the school nurse. They are not to be left in the classroom in a student’s desk or back pack. 

Initial documentation and annual documentation is required for the following emergency medications: Inhaler, Seizure medications, Epinephrine (Epi-Pen, EAI,) or diabetes supplies. These emergency medications are kept in the school Nurse’s office if appropriate current documentation has been provided by parent/guardian. 

Annual documentation includes: Provider prescription medication form and an Action Plan. Students with diabetes mellitus, a medical plan from their provider is required annually and should be updated after any changes have been made to their management of diabetes. The following are approved Action Plans for chronic or emergency conditions:

Seizure:

Arizona Seizure Action Plan

Asthma/Allergy:

Asthma Action Plan

Food allergy:

Emergency Care Plan English

 

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