According to healthychildren.org, an estimated 25% to 43% of children in the U.S. take medications to manage various health concerns including asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, ADHD, and other chronic conditions. For these students, having the medication they need is essential. When students have access to the proper medication, they are less likely to be absent from school and thus have the same opportunities for academic success as their peers.
School administrators have a duty to follow the legal mandates related to administering medication in schools and to provide the necessary training to staff. This blog provides an overview of the required types of medication training, the legal mandates you must follow and the best way to manage those requirements.
Understanding the Need for Administering Medication in Schools Training
Approximately 1 in 5 children in the U.S. have a special health need or chronic medical condition that requires ongoing medications. Medication training needs vary greatly depending not only on the type of medication used, but also on the different developmental stages of children. There are also significant risks associated with improper medication administration, especially when staff are not properly trained. Risks include, but are not limited to:
- Administering medication to the wrong student
- Giving the wrong medication or dosage
- Giving it at the wrong time
- Neglecting to document
- Failing to administer the medication
- Not following the prescriber’s instructions
These errors could be life-threatening to the student and could have legal implications for schools and staff. To minimize these risks and prevent errors, receiving training on administering medication in schools is essential.
5 Common Conditions Requiring Administering Medication in Schools
Included below are common conditions that require medication. This information can help serve as a starting point for the type of training you may need for your staff.
1. Asthma
According to the American Lung Association, 4.5 million children have asthma. Triggers for asthma include but are not limited to allergies, smoke, weather changes, animals, and exercise. Symptoms typically manifest as tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. The most common method of administering asthma medication is through inhalation, with inhalers being the most prevalent form. Staff will need to be trained on the proper use of inhalers and the warning signs for when a student may need it.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes management in children involves regular monitoring and treatment to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. While at school, children with diabetes will need to be able to check their blood sugar levels, take insulin or other medications, manage blood sugar highs and lows, have access to snacks, water and bathroom breaks and participate in physical activities (Kids health). Staff will need to be trained on sharing and maintaining these responsibilities, and how to administer emergency medication.
3. Epilepsy
Children with epilepsy may be on a daily medication, which comes in the liquid form, chewable tablets or swallowable tables and are typically taken twice daily. These types of medications are generally not administered at school, but staff should still be aware of common side effects of this medication and be able to administer/provide the medication if a dose is missed (an extra dose should be kept at school). An emergency plan should be in place if a seizure was to occur.
4. Naloxone
Naloxone is an emergency medication available as an auto-injector or nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. Given the number of adolescents using illicit drugs, it is crucial for schools to be prepared to respond to an opioid overdose. Implementing naloxone courses and having this medication readily available in schools can be lifesaving.
5. Over the Counter (OTC) Medications
Common OTC medications include cold and cough medicine, pain relievers, allergy medications, anti-diarrhea medications, antifungal creams, decongestants, fever medications, and sore throat relief. Just as with prescription medications, policies should be in place for administering OTC medication. It would be best to have OTC medications given at home. However, if deemed necessary, documentation should be provided in writing by the child’s physician.
Types of Medication Administration Training
Proper training is essential for the safe and effective administration of medication in schools. Below are different types of training required, including basic, emergency, and specialized training, to ensure that staff are equipped to meet students’ medical needs.
- Basic training
Basic training for medication administration in schools should cover proper storage, handling of medication and timing. This basic training should also extend to field trips, sporting events and after-school activities.
- General emergency medication training
Emergency training for medication administration in schools is crucial for recognizing and responding to medical emergencies. A common emergency situation would be an allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. Staff should be trained to identify the warning signs of a severe allergic reaction and how to respond.
- Specialized training
Specialized training is necessary for managing chronic conditions. Schools should be aware of any students with chronic conditions that require medication administration at schools and specific staff members should be trained on those conditions.
Regardless of the type of training provided, staff must understand their legal obligation to protect student confidentiality. As emphasized in the Medication Administration in Schools course from Raptor Staff Compliance Training, employees who administer student medication are prohibited from sharing any information about the student’s identity, prescribed medication, medical condition, or related health details with anyone who is not authorized—per FERPA regulations.
Who Can Administer Medication in Schools?
The big question is, who can administer medication in schools? The simple answer is whomever has medical training and knowledge of medications. Training ensures awareness of the risks and side effects along with the ability to recognize when a child is having a negative reaction to a medication. This generally includes the school nurse or classroom teacher.
Children also generally know their own warning signals, especially older students. Being able to administer their own medication can save time when every second counts. Self-administration can also help students feel impowered and create future success in managing their chronic condition. However, they will still need written authorization.
No matter your schools answer to the question, ‘who can administer medication in schools?’, clear procedures need to be developed and shared with staff and parents. Ongoing training and professional development should be implemented.
Keep Students Safe with Medication Administration Training for Staff
The need for training cannot be overstated, as it equips school staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage students’ health needs effectively.
Raptor’s training and compliance solutions provides your teachers and staff with the knowledge and skills to safely manage student medication, adhere to legal guidelines, and respond to medical emergencies.
Request a demo to learn more.
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