Health Services: 2011-2012 Changes Regarding Medication Given to Students

Important changes regarding medication given to students during the school day in the upcoming 2011-2012 school year:

As of the first day of school, August 29, 2011, School Nurses will no longer be administering “over the counter” (OTC) medications or any other medications to students without a written & signed doctor’s order(OTC medications include cold, cough and allergy meds, cough drops, eye drops, etc).  This directive comes from the new guidelines for medication administration provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  This provision seeks to provide for the safety of all students.

Form #13 now includes the doctor’s order, signature and required parent/guardian signature.  This form must be completed before medication is administered by the school nurse.

Important:  Students may not possess inhalers or Epi-pens on their persons without a doctor’s order and a parental signature.