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Book B

District Health Service Program

Providing for student’s medical/health needs is a cooperative effort between the parent, school and physician.  It is essential for the school and home to work together to provide quality health care for the student to minimize lost academic time and reduce the number of absences during the school year.

A health aide is assigned to each school. The health aide functions under the direction of and licensure of the district school nurse.  The health aide has a variety of role:

• Provide basic first aid care for injuries and illnesses.
• Monitor for the presence of communicable disease.
• Maintain student health records.
• Administer medications to students as ordered by the physician/parent. 
• Provide specialized health care needs for students as ordered by the parent/physician and under the direction of the district health nurse.

The district employs a registered nurse to service students at the elementary and middle schools; and a registered nurse to provide service for students at the Jr. and Sr. High School.  The district health nurse has a variety of roles:

• Evaluation and assessment of a student’s physical condition.
• Consultation with the parents and or physician to outline the care needed  in  the student’s individualized health plan.
• Review and educate staff about a student’s health care needs as outlined by the parent/physician.
• Administratively oversee the immunization program and compliance with state immunization laws; develop policy/procedure to ensure the safety and welfare of the students in the school; and educate staff on a need to know basis about the student’s health concerns.

To ensure the safety of your child, it is essential that staff is informed of any special health/medical conditions or specific care needs that your child has at school.  Please contact the district health nurse at 359-6591 ext. 5235 or 241-9700 ext 2309; or the school health aide if you child needs specialized care at school.  These are including, but not limited to students who have a chronic medical/health condition (asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, or significant physical impairment) or an anaphylactic – life threatening – reaction to chemicals, latex, stinging insects or foods.  It is essential that the school staff understands the care that your child needs and how to provide that care to ensure your child’s safety at school.   All information shared with the district nurse and or the school health aide is maintained as confidential; information may only be shared on a need to know basis with your child’s teachers with your permission.

The district uses the RECIN – Regional Electronic Computerized Immunization Network – database from Marshfield Clinic as the district immunization registry.  Any immunizations provided by the parent to the school are entered into RECIN as a permanent record for your child.  Area physicians and providers have access to utilize that database when providing care for your child.  A copy of the immunization database record is available to parents upon request.

Medication at School

Designated staff is available to administer prescription and over-the-counter medication to your child at school.  Staff can administer medication to your child with your written consent.  All medication is administered, and stored in accordance with the D.C. Everest medication policy and procedure.

Complete the Parent-Physician Consent Form if your child needs to take prescription or over-the-counter medication at school.  A copy of the form is included in your student handbook. Return the completed form to the school.  Refer to the statements below if your child needs to take any medication at school.

Parent-Physician consent

1.      The school nurse or designated school personnel can administer prescription medication to students providing the Parent-Physician Consent Form is in the health office with the parent and physician’s signatures.  

2.      The school nurse or designated school personnel can administer over-the-counter medication to students providing the Parent-Physician Consent Form is in the health office with the parent signature.  

3. The Parent-Physician Consent Form must clearly state the child’s name, the type of medication, amount, and time of medication administration.

Medication bottles and labeling

1.      Prescription medication MUST be in the original labeled pharmacy bottle.  The label must clearly state:

·        Student’s full name.

·        Name of the medication.

·        Time and dose of the medication.

·        Physician’s name.

·        Date the medication was dispensed.           

2. Ask the pharmacist for two labeled bottles if you anticipate sending medication to school for your child.  Send one bottle to school and use the second bottle at home.
3. The date on the pharmacy bottle must be current. This is to ensure accurate doses of prescribed medication.
4. Over the counter medication must be in the original container or single dose unit package.  Write your child’s name on the container.
5. Staff cannot administer any medication sent to school in a plastic bag or an envelope.  The medication will be returned to you at the end of day.

Handing and storage of medication at school

     A parent/guardian or an adult designated by the parent/guardian should deliver all medication to the school health office.  

1.      All medications are stored in the original labeled pharmacy container. 

2.      All medications are stored in a securely locked cabinet exclusively for medications. 

3.      Send only limited quantities of medication to school.  The school health aide will notify you when a medication refill is needed.

4.      The health aide will notify the parent/guardian to pick up all unused, discontinued, or outdated medications.

5.      All medication is returned to the parent at the end of the school year.  Parents are required to pick up the medication from the school.  Parents will receive written notification of the procedure in May and have an opportunity to arrange for disposal of the medication if needed.  The district nurse will discard any unclaimed medication at the end of the school year.

Special Considerations – Inhalers and Epi-pens

1.      The Wisconsin State Medication Law allows students to carry and self-administer inhalers and Epi-pens.  Per definition, self-administration means that a student is able to consume or apply medication in a manner directed by the physician without additional assistance or direction by district staff. 

2.      Parents and physicians must sign the Parent-Physician Consent Form and Specific Action Plan stating that the child:

·        Has been instructed in the administration technique

·        Is aware of his/her symptoms and when to administer the medication.

·        Informs an adult if the medication is not effective in resolving the symptoms.

3.      Parent-Physician Consent Forms and Action Plans are available from the school nurse or the school office.

General safety considerations

1.      Deliver your child’s medication to the office.  Avoid sending the medication with your child or with an older sibling.

2.      Staff may only administer medication prescribed for your child. 

3.      Prescriptions for the medication must be current.

Medication Consent Form

1. More than one medication can be written on the same form. 
2. Clearly state the specific directions for each medication to be given on the form.
3. A new form must be completed when:

·        The type of medication is changed.

·        The medication is discontinued.

The purpose of the medication policy and procedure is to ensure the safety of your child and provide them with the medication as you and or your physician direct.  Contact Roxie Kenitzer, RN-BSN at Evergreen School (359-6591 ext. 5235), or at the Middle School (241-9700 ext. 2309) with questions and or concerns.