ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS AND MEDICATION POLICY
PURPOSE
This policy ensures that Denison Child Care Centre has established an approved procedure, allowing drugs to be appropriately administered. Staff are made aware of their responsibilities and children are safeguarded by receiving drugs according to an established routine.
POLICY
Denison Child Care Centre will only administer prescription drugs to children, in accordance with the CCEYA, 2014, O. Regulation 137/15 s. 40 and with the following procedures.
PROCEDURE
- Each prescription must be accompanied by written authorization from a parent (“Authorization for Medication Form”). Over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by written authorization from a parent (“Authorization for Medication Form”) along with a doctor’s note outlining when to administer.
- A parent must hand deliver the medication in the original container (supplied by a pharmacist or the original package) clearly labelled with the child’s name, name of drug, the dosage, the date of purchase, expiration date, instruction for storage and administration of the drug.
- All medication will be stored in accordance with the instructions on the label and administered in accordance with those instruction as well as parents’ authorization on the “Authorization for Medication Form” which includes a schedule that set out the times and dosage to be administered.
- Medication must be administered, by the Site Supervisor or Designate, in a well-lit area.
- The medication must be stored as directed, kept in a locked container, and inaccessible to children at all times. The only exception is for emergency medication (asthma inhaler or epinephrine auto injector). Emergency Medication will never be locked up and will be made easily accessible to staff while being kept out of the reach of other children.
- To support the prompt administration of emergency medication, any person trained on the child’s individualized plan may administer emergency medication. Children may be permitted to carry their own emergency medication with written authorization from their parent. No other medication may be carried by a child.
- For each child receiving medication an entry must be made on the “Authorization for Medication Form”. Staff giving the medication must list each dose administered and the time. If a dose is omitted, reasons must be listed.
- Staff must check that the parents written instructions match any instructions printed on the original container and that the medication is not expired.
- Any accidental administration of medication (e.g., medication to the wrong child or dose error) must be recorded and reported to the Supervisor or Executive Director, who must then notify a parent of the child.
- Document any symptoms of ill health in the child’s record, where applicable. Completed “Authorization for Medication Form” will be kept in the child’s file.
ONLY THE SITE SUPERVISOR OR DESIGNATE MAY ADMINISTER MEDICATION.
Surplus or Expired Medication
- Where possible, the surplus or expired medication must be return to a parent of the child.
- Where attempts have been made to return a drug or medication to a parent and the parent has not taken the medication home, the site supervisor or designate in charge of drugs and medication will attempt to return unused drugs or medications to a local pharmacist for proper disposal.
- Date of return will be logged on the Authorization of Medication Form.
Use of Non-Prescription Products
Sunscreen, moisturizing skin lotion, lip balm, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and diaper cream do not constitute as drugs or medication for the purpose of this policy, except where the item is a drug as defined in the Drugs and Pharmacies Regulation Act, prescribed for a child by a health professional. The following is the procedure for the handling of these products:
1. The item is administered to a child with written authorization from the parent on the “Parental Consent Form.” Documentation of administration is not required.
2.The item is stored in accordance with any instruction for storage on the label and the container is clearly labelled with the child’s name and name of item.
3. Only administered from the original container or package and in accordance with any instructions on label and any instructions provided by the parent.