Section 710. Medication and health

A. Each student shall have on file evidence of a comprehensive physical examination prescribed by the State Health Commissioner from a qualified licensed (i) physician, (ii) nurse practitioner, or (iii) physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician. The examination must contain, at a minimum, information required on the Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form.

B. Each student shall have an up-to-date certificate of immunization.

C. Any student or staff with a medical condition that is contagious or infectious shall take leave from school while in that condition unless attendance is approved by a qualified health care provider. Conditions meeting this requirement must be provided in the parent/student handbook or other print materials.

D. A first aid kit shall be maintained and readily accessible for minor injuries and medical emergencies in each building used for instruction or other school activity.

E. All medications shall be accepted only in the original container with written permission signed and dated by the parent to administer to the child. The use of all prescriptive medication must be authorized in writing by a licensed prescriber.

F. All medication and medical paraphernalia shall be properly labeled and securely locked or stored in accordance with the Virginia School Health Guidelines.

G. An individual medication administration record shall be maintained for each medication a student receives and shall include student name, date the medication is to begin, drug name, schedule for administration, strength, route, identification of the individual who administered the medication, and dates the medication was discontinued or changed.

H. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures regarding:

1. Managing medication errors to include the following: administering first aid; contacting the poison control center; notifying the prescribing physician; taking action as directed; documenting the incident; reviewing medication errors and staff responses; and reporting errors to the parent and placing agency;

2. Handling adverse drug reactions;

3. Revising procedures as events may warrant;

4. Disposing of medication and medical supplies such as needles, syringes, lancets, etc.;

5. Storing of controlled substances;

6. Distributing medication off campus; and

7. Documenting medication refusal.

I. The telephone number of a regional poison control center and other emergency numbers shall be posted on or near the phone.

J. Medication training.

1. All staff responsible for medication administration shall have successfully completed medication training, including refresher training, in a program approved by the Board of Nursing or be licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to administer medication before they can administer medication.

2. Training shall be provided to staff in medication procedures and effects and infection control measures, including the use of standard precautions.

3. Staff certified in first aid and CPR shall be available at all times on the school grounds and during any school-sponsored activity.

4. Documentation of medication training must be maintained in personnel files.

5. Staff authorized to administer medication shall be informed of any known side effects of the medication and the symptoms of the effects.

K. Monitoring the supply of medications.

1. Upon receiving any medication, staff members handling medication shall count individual tablets and measure the level of liquid medicine in the presence of the parent(s) or another staff member and record the count on the medication log.

2. The medication log shall include the signature or initials of the staff member who counted the medication and the parent or staff who witnessed the occurrence. When initials are used, the medication administration record must contain the full name of the staff with corresponding initials for identification purposes.

3. Students shall be prohibited from transporting medication unless directed otherwise by the student's health care plan.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 31, Issue 24, eff. August 26, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-321 of the Code of Virginia.