Medication Resources

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NYSED 2015 Medication Guidelines NYSED Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools- Provides a framework for developing policies and procedures for medication administration in public and non-public schools as defined in state law and regulation. (Revised December 2017)

Diabetes Medical Management Plan Addendum: Role of Parents/Guardians in Adjustment of Insulin Dose 5/2017

Determining Who Can Administer Medication and Students Capability
Levels of Assistance in Administering Medications - Guide Provides guidance in determining how may and may not administer medications in school and the how to determine who may do so. Updated 3/2016

Independent Carry and Use
Guidance for Implementing Provider Attestation Option for Independent Carry and Use - As of 7/1/15, NYS law requires HCPs provide attestation of a student's ability to independently carry and use their medication in school. This guidance details how schools can implement this requirement. (9/2017)

Sample Provider Attestation and Parent Permission for Independent Carry and Use - Allows the provider to document the diagnosis and attestation for a student to carry and use medication independently as required by NYS law. It may be used as an addendum to a medication order which does not contain this required element. (9/2017)

Sample Letter to Health Care Providers Regarding Attestation for Independent Carry and Use - Informs Health Care Providers about the attestation requirements. (9/2017)

Sample Letter to Parents Regarding Attestation for Independent Carry and Use - Informs parents about the attestation requirements. (9/2017)

Medication Administration For School Sponsored Activities

Parent/Guardian Designation to Authorize Another Adult to Administer Medication - Documents parent/guardian permission to authorize another adult to administer medication to their child for a specific event. Updated 7/2017

Specific Guidance By Type of Medication

Alcohol-Based Sanitizers- Click Here for Resources under A in the A-Z Index

Albuterol
Policy for Stocking Albuterol Metered Dose Inhalers 8/2011

NYSED Memo regarding stocking albuterol metered dose inhalers - Liquid albuterol for use in a nebulizer for students diagnosed with asthma whose personal albuterol prescription is empty. This is a voluntary option for School Districts

Blood Glucose Testing
School Executive's Bulletin-EMSC Blood Glucose Monitoring (Jan 2001) - This memo describes that students must be allowed to test their blood glucose anytime and anywhere and that school staff may assist with this task.

Epinephrine and Immunizing Agents

Article 19 Section 921-a (7/1/2015) states that licensed registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians are authorized but not obligated to train unlicensed school personnel to inject glucagon or epinephrine auto-injectors in emergency situations where an appropriately licensed health professional is not available to pupils who have written permission of a physician or other authorized healthcare provider, along with written parental consent, during the school day, on school property or at any school function.

Clarification about Administering Immunizations and Anaphylactic Agents by Registered Professional Nurses using Non-Patient Specific Orders & Protocols Memo (10/3/2001) Provides additional information regarding nurses and non-patient specific orders including the ability of an LPN to administer epinephrine in an emergency situation.

New Provisions of Law Concerning the Administration of Immunizations & Anaphylactic Agents by Registered Professional Nurses Utilizing Non-Patient Specific Orders & Protocols Memo (2/27/2001) Provides information regarding specific requirements to allow nurses to follow non-patient specific orders in administration of anaphylactic agents, such as documentation, retention, reporting of incident to EMS and the persons health care provi der.

Non-Patient Specific Standing Order and Protocol Guidelines-Provides an overview of the laws and regulations on the administration of non patient specific orders for certain immunizations, anti-anaphylactic agents, and PPD Mantoux skin tests. It includes specific information on protocols for professional nurses, prescribers and pharmacists on the types of immunizations or tests which may be administered, method of administration, CPR requirements, record keeping and FAQs. (9/2012).

Glucagon

Training of Unlicensed Individuals in the Injection of Glucagon in Emergency Situations - Memo (3/2004).

Insulin

Insulin Pump Clarification Memo-Clarification on the operation of students’ insulin pumps, specifically related to the role of medically unlicensed school personnel. (3/2012). Please Note: When changing the infusion set- the original tubing which is already primed and connected to the reservoir stays in place. It is attached to the new infusion set (needle or cannula). Click here for diagram.

Sunscreen

Use of Sunscreen-Article 19 Section 907 - Allows students to carry and use topical sunscreen products approved by the FDA with the written permission of the parent or guardian of the student. A record of this permission must be maintained by the school. A student who is unable to physically apply sunscreen may be assisted by unlicensed personnel when directed to do so by the student if permitted by a parent or guardian and authorized by the school. (8/2013)

Memo-Updated Information Regarding the Use of Sunscreen-Updates the medication guidelines to allow sunscreen use and carry by self-directed students with written parent permission. (7/31/12)

Note: Students who are unable to communicate by voice, writing, or augmented device (for someone unable to speak) that they know what the medication looks like, why, when, how much to take, and what to do if someone offers them the wrong thing are NOT self-directed and would need both a provider order and parent permission.

FDA Approved Sunscreen Drug Products, See also FDA approved OTCs below

FDA Guide to Sunscreen Labeling

Medication Disposal
Epinephrine Auto-Injector Disposal Memo- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not consider the epinephrine salts in epinephrine auto-injector to be a hazardous waste. Therefore epinephrine auto-injectors should be disposed of in the same manner as other sharps. (EPA 2007)

Medication Disposal Recommendations- NYSED recommendations for safe disposal of medications following NYS Department of Environmental recommendations.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Drug Safety/Disposal Website-Provides information for consumers and institutions

Medication Safety

Medication Safety- Includes CDC resources on antibiotic resistance, GET SMART Campaign, National MRSA Education Initiative, and Hand Hygiene.

CredibleMeds® - Provides a systems-based approach to reduce harm from medications and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) – with a special focus on drugs that prolong the QT interval and increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. (10/2015)

Medication Storage in Schools

Clarification of Medication Storage in Schools Memo-Provides guidance on the storage of medications for self-directed students during school hours and at school-sponsored events such as field trips in the absence of a school nurse. (8/2010)

Standing Orders/Protocols Practice Memo-Barbara Zittel, RN, Ph.D., Executive Secretary to the State Board for Nursing, 2006-Provides guidance in clarifying the scope of practice of registered professional nurses (RNs) in relation to a variety of circumstances where non-patient specific medical orders, culturally known as standing orders, are being used to dictate nursing care.