Medication Administration Policy

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MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION POLICY
Reason This Policy is Important:
Inevitably, some children will require medication while in the childcare setting.
The process for handling and administering medications must be well structured and carefully followed in order to ensure
that the interests of the children and the providers are best served. When possible, a child’s parents and physician should
try to minimize the need for medications while in childcare. Medicines ordered twice a day should normally be given
before and after, rather than during, childcare hours. Medications ordered to be given three times daily also may be
planned so that they are given in the morning before the child leaves for childcare, in the afternoon after the child returns
home, and again during the evening. However, in some cases, administration of medications during childcare hours is
unavoidable.
Procedure and Practices, including responsible person(s):
Medication Consent
__________________________________________ (staff title/name) will administer medication only if the parent or legal
guardian has provided written consent (Medication Administration form); the medication is available in an original labeled
prescription or manufacturer’s container that meets the safety check requirements.
1. Prescription Medication
parents or legal guardians will provide the medication in the original, child-resistant container that is labeled by
a pharmacist with the child’s name, the name and strength of the medication;
the date the prescription was filled;
the name of the health care provider who wrote the prescription;
the medication’s expiration date;
and administration, storage, and disposal instructions.
2. Nonprescription Medication
parents or legal guardians will provide the medication in the original container.
the medication will be labeled with the child’s first and last names;
specific, legible instructions for administration and storage supplied by the manufacturer;
and the name of the health care provider who recommended the medication for the child.
3. Instructions for the dose, time, and how the medication is to be given, and the number of days the medication will
be given will be provided to the child care staff in writing (by a signed note or a prescription label) by the health
care provider. This requirement applies both to prescription and over-the-counter medications (Medication
Administration form)
4. A health care provider may state that a certain medication may be given for a recurring problem, emergency
situation, or chronic condition or prevention. Example: sun screen, acetaminophen, Epi-pen.
(Record of Medication Order form)
The instructions should include the child’s name;
the name of the medication;
the dose of the medication;
how often the medication may be given;
the conditions for use;
any precautions to follow; and
potential side effects;
A child may only receive medication with the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Medications for chronic conditions such as: Asthma or allergies
For chronic conditions (such as asthma), the parent/legal guardian written consent must be renewed monthly. An
individual care plan must be provided that lists symptoms or conditions under which the medication will be given.
Emergency supply of medication for chronic illness:
For medications taken at home, we ask for a three-day supply to be kept with our disaster kit in case there is a situation in
which children are not able to return home for an extended time.

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