Medication

No medication will be given without a doctor’s prescription or written authorization from the doctor for non-prescription medication. Medication may only be administered by a full-time staff member who has been trained in the five rights of medication administration. For any medication to be given, the Center must have a Medication Authorization Form signed by the parent. A sample Medication Authorization Form is included in Appendix M.

All medications must be brought to the Center by the parents and given directly to the Director or Assistant Director so that the necessary forms can be checked for the completion of proper authorizations, and clear instructions. 2 copies of the original will be made: one for the clipboard (which is where each dose will be recorded), and one to be placed in a Ziploc bag WITH the medication. The original will go in the child’s file. Medication is then to be immediately placed in the proper safe medicine box.

Medications will be kept at the temperature recommended for that type of medication. Refrigerated medication is placed in a sturdy, child-resistant, closed container in the refrigerator. Medications not requiring refrigeration will be placed in a locked cabinet where it is inaccessible to children. Before any of the medication is to be administered, the Director or Assistant Director will review the medication instructions with a full-time staff member who has been trained in the five rights of medication administration.

Aspirin will not be given at any time because of the danger of Reye’s syndrome.
Acetaminophen will only be given for symptoms resulting from inoculations, and only with authorization from both the physician and the parent
Any prescription given must be written for the child. No prescriptions written for parents or siblings will be given.
Parents are welcome to come to the Center and administer medication to their children within the guidelines herein.
Authorization forms are available in the office.

Prescription Medication:

The Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent.
Medication must be in original prescription bottle with pharmacist label and be prescribed for the child.
When medication is administered by staff or parent, there must be another staff person present as witness. Record the “five rights” on the medication form:

The right child,
receives the right medication,
in the right dose,
at the right time,
by the right method.

Sign your name, and have the witness initial the form.

Non-Prescription Medication:

The Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent.
The Medication Authorization Form must also be signed by a physician.
Non-prescription medication must be in original bottle.
When medication is administered by staff or parent, there must be another staff person present as a witness. Record the “five rights” on the medication form:

The right child,
receives the right medication,
in the right dose,
at the right time,
by the right method.

Sign your name, and have the witness initial the form.

Nebulizer Treatment Procedures

It is preferable for the parent to come into the Center for this process, but understandable that the parent cannot always do so. In order for Hoya Kids’ staff to use the nebulizer, the following procedures must be followed as mandated by the D.C. Department of Health:

An original letter of authorization from the child’s pediatrician outlining the necessary information we normally require to administer medication. (Child’s name, date medication name, dosage to be given, time of day to be given, any special instructions.) Please note that this authorization is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. For children that receive this type of medication on a regular basis, the doctor’s original letter of authorization will be kept in the child’s file and a copy in the classroom.
The parent signs a “Consent for Medication” form to be attached to the doctor’s authorization letter. The child’s medical condition before and after medication is noted on the consent. Two staff members must sign and witness the appropriate use of the nebulizer. This is based on the observation of the HKLC staff.
The Director and at least two staff members must be trained on how to properly fill the nebulizer with prescribed medication (unless parent is going to fill it in advance), turn on and operate the machine.
The nebulizer must be kept out of the reach of the children and stored in the HKLC kitchens, where all medication is kept at the Center.

The nebulizer machine and the medication MAY NOT be kept in the child’s cubby – this includes the Busy Bee storage closet where the children’s personal belongings are kept.