Administration of medicines

Administration of Medicines Policy

Written by:
West Sussex County Council

Contents
1.
Guidelines for the Safe Administration of Medicines Correct procedure for giving oral medications Incorrect administration of medications and dealing with medical emergencies Guidelines for the Safe Administration of Medicines
These guidelines should be read in conjunction with Guidelines on the Administration
of Medicines (Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings March 2005)
also Intimate Procedures in Herons Dale School, Health and Safety Manual for
Educational Establishments January 2005 and the NMC Codes of Practice 2004
A number of pupils require medication to be administered during the school day. The
following guidelines have been drawn up by working in partnership with the Local
Education Authority, School of Governors the School Nurse, and Parents These
guidelines should be followed when giving any medicines, including regular
medicines, controlled drugs, emergency medication or occasional (e.g., ear drops/
antibiotics).
Persons employed by Herons Dale Primary School and who have completed the
Managing medicines in Schools Course, or has completed a training record with the
School nurse, and who agree to administer medicines as advised may give
medicines. When the school nurse is in school she will give medicines as
prescribed, unless there is an emergency elsewhere then a named person will take
over.
2
Training will include:
o Our policy and procedure o Safe storage of medications o Correct procedure for giving oral medications o Different administration methods e.g. eye drops, orally, gastostomy, bucally o Prescribed and non prescribed medicines o Controlled drugs o Record keeping o Action to be taken if pupil refuses medications o Incorrect administration of medicines given and emergency procedures to take Potential side effects of main medicines used o Infection control measures used and for safe disposal of equipment o Medications used for seizures o Asthma medications Two members of staff will always check all medications given in the school day. They will record, information to include the date, time given and sign on each child’s medication sheet. Parents need to complete a request to administer medicines, form on arrival to school. At each change of dose or new medication a new form must be completed.
All medicines must in a secure container and clearly labelled giving:
o The name of the child o Name of the medicine and form e.g. liquid or tablet o The strength o Quantity o Dose o Frequency o Date of supply o Expiry date
All medicines are kept in a locked non portable container only named staff should
have access and hold a key.
Medicines should be returned to the parent when no longer required.
Where medications are refrigerated they should placed in their own original airtight
container
4
Correct procedure for giving oral medications

OUR POLICY IS TO ALWAYS CHECK WITH ANOTHER PERSON, WHEN GIVING
ANY MEDICATIONS WHAT EVER THE ROUTE OF ADMINISTATION:

To avoid the risk of giving a double dose of medication the school nurse will give the
medications when working. If she is unavailable only one member of staff, should be
responsible for the giving of medications. They will be relieved from their normal
duties while preparing or giving the medicines to avoid any interruptions.

Staff will always check the following each time a drug is administered against the
child’s medication recording sheet.

o The name of the child o Name of medication, this is the same as written on the bottle, container packet o The written instructions provided by the prescriber on the label or container. o Prescribed dose (check very carefully) o Method of administration, e.g. orally, rectally, buccally or via a gastrostomy o Time/frequency of administration o If it has been given already o That you know of any side effects that may occur o The date of supply o Expiry date on packet o You have entered the correct date on medicines chart o Frequency of administration for emergency rectal Diazepam or Buccal Midazolam and the protocols that should be followed). Once they are both sure all the above are correct they must both identify the child
who the medication is due for and once it has been administered both persons must
sign the medication sheet.
Once given both staff members must sign and state date of administration.

5
Prescribed Medicines
o Medicines should only be taken to school when essential: that is when it is detrimental to the child’s health ie Antibiotics that are given 4 times a day. o All medicines should be prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or nurse prescriber. o They should always be provided in their original container as dispensed by a pharmacist, including the prescriber’s instructions for administration. o We never crush tablets which may changes the composition of the medication
o We never accept medicines that have been taken out of the original
container as originally dispensed nor make changes to dosages on
parental instructions
Non prescription medication
o Staff will never give a non prescribed medicine to another child. o Non - prescribed medications i.e. cough medicine will not be given within the school. The school will not accept responsibility for administering medicine of this nature. o If a child suffers from pain the parents will be informed and referred to GP as Short term medical medications
o This applies to a course of antibiotics, eye drops or ear drops which need to be given in the school day. If prescribed three times a day parents are responsible for giving these at home. Paracetomol and Ibuprofen
o Only standard Paracetomol or Ibuprofen may be given. o Written consent should always be given by the parents. o Both are only to be given if the child requires the drugs to be administered o Staff must be trained in the administration of these analgesics before administration, and be aware of side effects and what to do if they occur. o Staff will always check with another member of staff and record in the medicines folder, as for prescription medicines. o Parents should state if the medication has been given at home. We will always check by telephoning parents prior to administration o Only one dose of either medicine may be given in one day. o This should amount to no more than 500 mgs. o Both Paracetomol and Ibuprofen must be given only from original Pharmacists container, prescribed by a G.P. The container must be clearly labeled, stating the child’s name, prescribed dose and prescribers written instructions. Only the dose prescribed on container must be given. o The named persons must contact the parents on day, stating time and amount of dose after giving the prescribed dose. o The container must be handed in to the school nurse or designated persons o The medicines will be stored securely in a lockable cupboard as all other o When the drug is no longer required the parents must discard the container Controlled Drugs
o The supply, possession, and administration of some medications are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Acts. Some medicines are prescribed and used in school. e.g. Methylphenidate. o This medication must be checked at all times by 2 members of staff. o Staff should follow instructions in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions. o When parents send in Methylphenidate for their child two named staff should count, record and sign for all tablets or liquid volume on record sheet in controlled drugs file. o If they are sent home via parents or a taxi driver it must be recorded on the record sheet naming who it was given to, and the amount sent home. o Misuse of a controlled drug, such as passing onto another child for use is an Creams and Lotions
o Only use if prescribed by a Doctor in a named container o These should be applied using gloves o We always protect every child’s privacy and dignity when applying creams’

11 Record keeping

o Every medicine that is given in school must be recorded in the medication files on prescription sheets either individually i.e. for Methylphenidate in the Controlled drugs file or on general sheets. o This is to include o The name and strength of medicine o Amount given o Time given o Signature of both people who gave the medication o Records are kept of all medication given in school; this is used for audit and Refusing Medications
o If a child refuses to take their medication, staff will not force them, this will be written on the medication sheet and the parents will be informed of the refusal as soon as possible. o If the refusal results in an emergency the schools emergency procedures Incorrect administration of medications and Medical Emergencies
o Following any errors omissions or problems the school nurse must be o Appropriate action will be taken by completing a incident form on each o The incident will be fairly investigated and resulting information used to
If in any doubt about any of the above the person who is giving the medication should
seek advice BEFORE administering the medication with the “Resident” School Nurse
or the School Doctor.

14
Disposing of medications
o Unused medicines must be returned to parents for safe disposal. o The school nurse will take any unused medicines to a local pharmacy for disposable, after seeking permission from relevant parents. Infection control measures
o Staff should wash their hand prior to the administration of medicines o Syringes used for oral medications, or medicines given via gastrostomy tubes are to be washed in hot soapy water, dried with paper towels and placed in the child’s own named sealed container placed in the fridge. These are thrown away at the end of the week if used via a gastrostomy tube Rectal Diazepam and Midazolam

The child privacy and dignity must be maintained when given these medications.
o Rectal Diazepam or Buccal Midazolam may only be given by staff that has undergone a training record by the School Nurse. o Rectal Diazepam and Midazolam are held in a locked cabinet with full details o Seizure profiles and Medical Healthcare plans are kept in the classroom. o Rectal diazepam is kept in the child’s classroom in a plastic box with details of their seizure profile, and contact numbers. o Buccal Madizolam is kept in the locked medicines cabinet., this is a controlled o It is necessary to have another person as a witness when given these o Refer to Epilepsy, Madizolam and Rectal Diazepam policies. Inhalers for Asthma
These are used to prevent wheezing as well as treatment for wheezy episodes o Inhalers for asthma are kept in the classroom where children can have immediate access to their reliever inhalers with a spacer if needed. o These are stored in a safe accessible place with the child’s name clearly o They can be used when necessary, and recorded on individual medications o Instructions for use are clearly stated in each individual child’s medical health Educational visits
o It is good practice to allow pupils who have medications to participate in o A First Aider will administer any medications required on a trip following the same guidelines as used in school, also by following each child individual medical healthcare plan, asthma or seizure profile. o Risk assessments are carried out prior to each visit. CHILDREN WHO HAVE MEDICINES IN SCHOOL
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT RECORD
Name of Trainee:
Name of School: Herons Dale Primary School
Head Teacher Mrs Trish Stepney
Name of School Nurse and Qualifications: Maggie McNally RN2
All children who receive medications at the school: ……………………………

Practice Assessment Record
Signature of Nurse &
date
Initial training and preparation: The trainee has a
The trainee has attended basic life support training related to children and young people within the last 12 months. Performance Competence:
The trainee demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the following: Our policy and procedure Safe storage of medications Correct procedure for giving oral medications Record keeping Different administration methods e.g. eye drops, orally, Understanding prescribed and non prescribed medicines Potential side effects of main medicines used Controlled drugs and their care Action to be taken if pupil refuses medications Incorrect administration of medicines given and Infection control measures used and for safe disposal of Rectal Diazepam and Midazolam used for seizures Asthma medications Performance competence:
The trainee is able to demonstrate all the above through assessor observation of the trainee carrying out the care Assessor to indicate which care tasks assessed eg medicines administered via orally eyes ears, topical
Expiry Date:
I confirm that I have undergone training and assessment to care for children who
have medication in school and on outings. I am happy to carry out the procedure
within the competencies above. I understand the scope of these competencies. I will
only use this training in respect of the children agreed within my role at the time of
this assessment, and I will not carry out procedures, which are contrary to or not
covered by this training.
I will seek further training if I have concerns about my competency and in any event
12 weeks before the expiry date on this form to renew my training. Upon the date of
expiry of this competency, if my training has not been renewed, or if I have concerns
about my competency, I will discontinue undertaking the procedure detailed in this
document and seek appropriate advice from a suitable qualified health professional
and or my employer. In all other respects I will seek all necessary advice, guidance
and further training needed from time to time in order for me to continue to operate
within these competencies and that I understand that I should attend an update
training session every year.

Assessed Worker:
Signature:

EDUCATION AND TRAINING RECORD
Administration of Oral Medicines
Name of School: Herons Dale Primary School

Head Teacher: Mrs. Trish Stepney
Resident School Nurse: Mrs. Maggie McNally RN 2

Name of Trainee:
I agree to undertake the training and confirm that I know the children well. Trainee Worker signature and date:

The training and assessment of staff to administer oral medicines.
• practice training with the registered nurse • practice assessment with the registered nurse. Length of
Indicate type of training eg
Signature of
Signature of
underpinning
knowledge/practice
training//questions and
medicines given and emergency procedures to take Practice training

The Education and Training Record needs to be attached with the Practice
Assessment Record
Date Completed: _____________________

Signature of trainee: _____________________
Signature of “Resident School Nurse”: _____________________

Source: http://www.heronsdale.co.uk/Policies/Administration%20of%20Medicines.pdf