- Our Policies -
Medication Policy
Our Policies
Medication Policy
Background
Children’s Services may be required to administer medication to children with chronic conditions or minor illnesses.
AIM
To ensure medication is administered correctly and safely.
Policy Statement
Educators will only administer medication prescribed by a Doctor or with a Doctor's written authority, with the exception of one dose of paracetamol in the case of a fever over 38C in children over six months of age. The Medication Form will specify details of medication to be administered along with parental/carer authority to administer.
Implementation
When a child is returning to the centre from an illness and still requires medication a certificate from the child’s doctor is required stating that the child is fit to return to the Centre.
At Little Explorers the following steps must be followed when a child requires medication while at the Centre:
The Parent/Guardian is to fill out and sign a Medication Form (see attachment). This form will include the child's full name, illness and reason for medication. Also the name of the prescribing doctor, date, medication name, dosage, time that previous dose was administered; time to be given and special procedures that need to be followed must be entered plus signature of parent. Only the parental/guardianauthority will be accepted, not older sibling, neighbour, grandparent, etc.
Should a parent/guardian not be able to complete a Medication Form due to disability, illiteracy or Non English Speaking Background, an educator or relative may assist the parent by following their verbal directions then having the parent/guardian sign the completed form.
Parents remember to collect medication at the end of each day.
Parents/guardians are to hand the medication to a educators member with the completed Medication Form. Medication must never be left in a child's bag or anywhere children are able to gain access to it.
Educators are to check that all parts of the form have been completed and cross check this with the information on the pharmacy label or doctor’s letter.
- Name of Child
- Name of prescribing doctor
- Medication name
- Dosage and times required ("when necessary" will not be accepted, specific time/frequency must be stated)
- Administration instructions eg with food
- Reason for medication
- Parents have signed the form
Educators are to ensure the medication is in its original container with label clearly showing:
- child's name
- name of medication
- dosage and frequency/times required
- administration and storage instructions
- date the medication was prescribed
- name of prescribing doctor
- expiry date
Educators are to place medication in the locked medication box in the cupboard in the kitchen or in the locked Medicine Box in refrigerator in the kitchen.
Educators are to wash their hands before preparing and administering medication.
Only educators holding a First Aid Certificate are to administer the children's medication. Before medication is given to the child, two educators members must double check and witness :
-
Five Rights:
- Right Child
- Right Medication
- Right Time
- Right Manner
- Right Amount
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Check medication three times:
- When taking from the medication
- When pouring
- When about to administer
The educators member who administers the medication is then to sign the medication form, write the time the medication was given and the other educators member is to sign as a witness.
Educators are to observe the child after the medication has been given, for any side effects. Generally for oral medication, the side effects will occur 20 to 30 minutes after administration and for aerosol medication (e.g. a nebuliser) 10 minutes after administration.
Medication is to be return to the locked medication box in the refrigerator or cupboard immediately after administering to the child.
Chronic Illness Management Plans
When a child or educators member with a chronic illness such as asthma, epilepsy, allergy, migraine or diabetes enters the programme, the Director will consult the family/educators member and the relevant health workers in establishing a plan about the illness and its management.
Details of routine, irritants, symptoms, regular and extra medications and the actions to be taken in the event of increased symptoms must be specified in the management plan. This plan must be updated by the child’s/educators member’s doctor every three months (six monthly for allergies) or as changes to medication occur, to reflect current medication and health status.
Parents/contacts will be contacted and an ambulance called if the child’s/educators member’s symptoms progress and/or they do not respond to their medication.
Dairy Products
If a parent/guardian requests that their child is not given dairy products while at the Centre due to allergy, or lactose intolerance they are to complete an Allergy Action Plan signed by their child’s doctor and updated every six months.
Parents/guardians who request that their children are not given dairy products for any other reason including illness must provide the centre with their request in writing stating the reason for the request and a signed and dated letter from their child’s doctor supporting this request and stating substitutes suitable for the child’s condition.
The usual substitute is Calcium enriched Soy milk and this is to be provided by the parent. The Soy milk must be in its original package with a current use by date.
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