Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3, March 20, 2024
A.
Written Authorization. No medication or special medical procedure shall be
administered to a child unless authorized in writing by the parent. Such
authorization shall include:
1. name of
child;
2. drug name and
strength;
3. date(s) to be
administered;
4. directions for
use, including the route (oral, topical), dosage, frequency, time and schedule
and special instructions, if any. It is not acceptable to note "as indicated on
bottle"; and
5. signature of parent
and date of signature.
B. Required Container/Packaging
1. For prescription medication to be
administered at the center, the center shall maintain the original pharmacy
container with the complete pharmacy label.
2. For non-prescription medication to be
administered, the center shall maintain the original bottle packing for the
medicine or a printed document from the manufacturers website, which shall
include the drug name and strength and clear directions for use.
C. All medication shall be sent to
the center in its original container, shall not have an expired date, and shall
be clearly labeled with the name of the child to ensure that medication is for
individual use only.
D. If a
non-prescription medication label reads "consult a physician," the early
learning center shall also maintain a written authorization from a licensed
health care provider for the child to take the medicine.
E. Aerosol. All aerosol medications shall be
delivered to the center in pre-measured dosages.
F. Topical. The center shall not apply
topical ointments, sprays or creams without a written authorization signed and
dated by the parent.
G.
Self-Administration. Children shall not administer their own medications
without written authorization from the parent and such children shall
administer medication in the presence of a staff person.
H. Records. Medication administration records
shall be maintained for all children regardless of who administers the
medication. Records shall include the following:
1. name of the child and medication name and
dosage administered;
2. date and
time medication administered;
3.
documentation of telephone contact with parent prior to giving "as needed"
medication;
4. signature of person
administering medication or witnessing the child administering own
medication;
5. signature of person
completing the form; and
6. when a
parent administers medication to his/her own child on center premises, the
medication administration record shall be documented by either the parent or a
staff member.
I.
Authorization for "as needed" prescription and non-prescription medication
shall be updated as necessary or at least every six months by the parent, and
shall include circumstances for administering "as needed" medication and any
applicable special instructions.
J.
Medical Procedures. Children that require medical procedures such as tube
feeding shall have specific instructions from a health care provider as part of
the overall care plan for the child.
1.
Administration of feedings or medications through a tube-feeding apparatus
shall be performed by a staff member trained and authorized by the parent or
individual designated by the parent.
2. Parental authorization and training shall
be documented and shall include the name of child, date of training, name of
staff trained, signature of staff trained, and signature of parent.
3. Documentation of feedings and medications
administered shall include the name of child, date, time, what was
administered, and signature of administering staff member.
K. Emergency Medications
1. Children who require emergency
medications, such as an EpiPen or Benadryl, shall have a written plan of action
that shall be updated as changes occur or at least every six months, and shall
include:
a. method of
administration;
b. symptoms that
indicate the need for the medication;
c. actions to take once symptoms
occur;
d. description of how to use
the medication; and
e. signature of
parent and date of signature.
2. Medication administration records for
emergency medication shall be maintained and include the following:
a. symptoms that indicated the need for the
medication;
b. actions taken once
symptoms occurred;
c. description
of how medication was administered;
d. signature of administering staff member;
and
e. phone contact with the
parent after administering emergency medication.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
17:407.40(A)(1).
