Code of Colorado Regulations
1400 - Department of Early Childhood
1402 - Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration
8 CCR 1402-1 - CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
HEALTH CARE
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.220 - MEDICATION

Universal Citation: 1400 CO Code Regs 8 CCR 1402-1-2.220

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

A. Any unexpired routine medication, prescription or non-prescription (over the counter), must be administered only with a current written order of a health care provider with prescriptive authority and with written parental consent. Home remedies, homeopathic medication, vitamins, and supplements must not be administered to children in child care.

B. The written order by the person with prescriptive authority shall include:

1. Child's name;

2. Licensed prescribing practitioner name, telephone number, and signature;

3. Date authorized;

4. Name of medication and dosage;

5. Time of day medication is to be given;

6. Route of medication;

7. Length of time the medication is to be given;

8. Reason for medication (unless this information needs to remain confidential);

9. Side effects or reactions to watch for; and

10. Special instructions.

C. Medications must be kept in the original labeled bottle or container. Prescription medications must contain the original pharmacy label.

D. Over-the-counter medication must be kept in the originally labeled container and be labeled with the child's first and last name.

E. In the case medication needs to be given on an ongoing, long-term basis, the authorization and consent forms must be reauthorized on an at least annual basis. Any changes in the original medication authorization require a new written order by the prescribing practitioner and a change in the prescription label.

F. Staff designated by the director to give medications must complete the Department-approved medication administration training and have current annual delegation or more often as determined by the Department-approved child care health consultant. Delegation must be from the center's current Department-approved child care health consultant who must observe and document the competency of each staff member involved in medication administration. All staff administering medication must have current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid training prior to administering medication with the following exceptions:

1. Staff determined by the director, in consultation with the Department-approved child care health consultant, to be responsible for providing emergency medications must complete the Department-approved medication administration training: severe allergy or asthma. After completing the training, staff must receive delegation from their Department-approved child care health consultant for those medications only. Staff must then provide those medications to children based on the instructions from the child's individualized health care plan.

2. Staff determined by the director, in consultation with the Department-approved child care health consultant, to be responsible for providing medications not covered in the approved medication administration training shall also be permitted to administer medications and/or medical treatments such as emergency seizure medication, insulin, or oxygen with individualized training and delegation from the Department-approved child care health consultant based on instructions from the child's individualized health care plan.

3. Staff may be trained and delegated in the administration of a single rescue medication or rescue medical intervention by the center's Department-approved child care health consultant. Such training and delegation shall qualify the staff member to provide a rescue medication or treatment for a specific child based on instructions from the child's individualized health care plan.

G. All medications, except those medications specified in the Department-approved medication administration training as emergency medications, must be locked and inaccessible to children, but available to staff trained in administering medication. Controlled medications must be counted and safely secured, and specific policies regarding their handling require special attention in the center's policies. Access to these medications must be limited.

1. Emergency medications are not required to be locked but must be stored in an area inaccessible to children, and easily accessible and identifiable to staff. Emergency medications must be stored in accordance with the Department-approved child care health consultant's recommendation.

2. When away from the classroom, staff assigned to supervise the child must carry the emergency medication.

H. The center must have a written policy on the storage and access of inhalers and epinephrine carried by school-age children. The policy must include a written contract with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and child acknowledgement assigning levels of responsibility of each individual. This contract includes orders for the medication from a health care provider, along with confirmation from the health care provider and the Department-approved child care health consultant that the student has been instructed and is capable of self-administration of the prescribed medications.

I. Children are not allowed to bring medications to child care unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

J. If a medication is out of date or left over, the parent(s)/guardian(s) is responsible for picking up the medication. If the parent(s)/guardian(s) do not respond, the center must dispose of the medications as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

K. Topical preparations such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other ointments may be administered to children with written authorization from the parent(s)/guardian(s). These preparations may not be applied to open wounds or broken skin unless there is a written order by the prescribing health care provider.

L. A written medication log must be kept for each child. This log is part of the child's records. The log must contain the following:

1. Child's name and birthdate;

2. name of the medication, dosage, and route;

3. time medication is to be given by written medication authorization;

4. time medication is administered to child;

5. Special instructions;

6. Name and initials of the individuals giving the medication; and

7. Notation if the medication was not given and the reason.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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