Medication Policy

The policies regulating the administration of medication during school hours are for the students’ safety and are mandated by the state of Florida. School personnel, including the school nurse, will only be able to administer medication after the Medication Administration Form is properly completed and signed by the parent for all medication and additionally by the physician for prescription medication.

1. If a child requires medication during the school day, a Medication Administration Form must be on file in the clinic. The form must be signed by a parent annually and updated immediately as changes occur. It is recommended that the first dose of any new medication be administered at home.
2. Over-the-counter medication supplied by parents must be turned into a school nurse by a parent in the original manufacturer’s container. The Geneva School supplies the following medications or their generic equivalents: Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and Tums (calcium carbonate). Permission to administer these over-the-counter medications to students on an as-needed basis at school by a school nurse or other designated staff members is given by the parent on the continuous enrollment form when a student first enrolls.
3. Prescription medications must be brought to a school nurse by the parent in the current, original, properly-labeled container, as dispensed by the pharmacist or physician. Under no condition will children, including siblings, be allowed to share prescription medications. A Medication Administration Form must be signed by both the parent AND the physician who prescribed the medicine.
4. The parent must deliver all medication (over-the-counter and prescription) to a school nurse for verification and inventory. All medication must be picked up by the parent at the end of the school year or upon discontinuation of use. Any medication not picked up by the end of the school year will be discarded.
5. Medication labels must contain the student’s name, name of medication, directions for use, and date. Physician’s order and medication label must be the same.
6. No medication of any kind may be carried on a student’s person without permission from a school nurse.

Students Requiring Emergency Medications at School for Severe Allergies

For those children with EpiPen prescriptions or any other emergency medication, a Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan Form must be completed and signed by the parent AND physician and is required to be completed each school year. Two sets of emergency medications are to be supplied by the parent. For lower school, one set of emergency medication is kept in the clinic and another set is kept in the student’s classroom. For upper school, one set of emergency medication is kept in the clinic and another set is carried by the student in their backpack.

Each child has different allergy triggers and may present with a unique pattern of symptoms. Some physicians want an EpiPen administered at the first sign of an allergic reaction; some prefer to administer antihistamines and/or inhalers first with mild symptoms of an allergic reaction and use the EpiPen only if symptoms progress after these have been given. Parents should consult with their child’s physician and ask him/her to carefully fill out and sign the emergency care plan to reflect the individual needs of their child and their desires in responding to an emergency situation.

It is necessary for all medication on the emergency care plan, including any antihistamine and inhaler, to be supplied by parents in its original container. According to school policy, parents must supply two sets of all medications on the emergency care plan to the school. These medications should be available on the first day of school. A school nurse will meet with parents the week before school starts to go over the emergency care plan, to check expiration dates on medications, and to allow parents to communicate any concerns they may have.

Students Requiring Asthma Medication at School

Asthma inhalers and nebulizer treatment vials are considered prescription medication. If a child has asthma and carries an inhaler at school, keeps an inhaler in the school clinic, or requires nebulizer treatments at school an Authorization for Asthma Medication at School Form must be filled out and signed by the parent AND physician. It includes additional information to let the school know the child’s asthma triggers and routine medications he/she is taking for asthma control. Students may carry their inhaler in their backpack if they are able to self-administer effectively, or inhalers may be kept in the clinic to use under supervision. If a child requires nebulizer medication, a parent must also provide a nebulizer machine to keep in the clinic. A school nurse will need to meet with parents to discuss their child’s special needs.

Have a Question? Want to Learn More?

Please use the following form to submit questions to the nursing staff.