The details
This change aligns with updated compliance requirements from the Texas Board of Nursing rules and the Nurse Practice Act, said Mary Coronado, nursing director for NBISD, at an Aug. 12 school board meeting.
The Texas Board of Nursing issued new requirements prohibiting school nurses from taking medication orders directly from parents, which prompted the district to update its medication administration policy, Coronado said. All medication orders must come from a licensed physician, podiatrist or dentist.
“I know it's difficult, and I wanted to make it as easy as possible for parents, so we spoke with our physician and we added 10 of the most commonly given over-the-counter medications,” Coronado said.
Here are the 10 over-the-counter medications that do not require an additional prescription if used for less than five consecutive days:
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Naproxen Sodium
- Guaifenesin
- Midol
- Dextromethorphan
- Calcium Carbonate (Tums)
- Diphenhydramine Cream
- Hydrocortisone Cream
- Throat lozenges
Parents are required to bring medications to the school clinic in the original container, along with a valid doctor's order and a written request, she said. Students are not allowed to transport medications for safety reasons.
Prescription medications must be properly labeled, including details like the pharmacy name and address, student name, prescribing practitioner, prescription date, medication name, strength, dosage, and administration instructions, according to the NBISD Health Services medication guidelines.
Parents are encouraged to schedule medication administration so that the need for school-time doses is minimized, according to the guidelines. Medication needed only two or three times daily should be given at home.
The school nurse has the right to refuse to administer medications if they believe it is not in the best interest of the student, following Texas Board of Nurse Examiners guidelines.
