Medication Policies

Medication Policies

Considering state regulations, federal prescribing laws, and best practices, there are certain requirements regarding how students may receive medication. All medications (prescriptions, vitamins and supplements, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications) are dispensed to students at Student Health Services or by trained staff in the dorms during off-hours. We do not allow our students to have medications in their room or on their person to self-administer unless in specific circumstances that have been planned in advance between the SHS nurse and student. OTC medications, such as tylenol or ibuprofen, are provided by Student Health Services on a short-term, as- needed basis without a prescription according to Standing Orders put in place by the medical director. Our school physician will evaluate boarding students for acute care needs and prescribe medications when clinically appropriate. If there is an OTC medication your student has needed in the past for more than a short period of time (e.g. allergy medication), please provide a completed ‘Medication Order Form’ as explained below. 1 . For the Student Health Services staff to dispense any medication to any student, your physician must complete and submit the ‘Medication Order Form’ for each medication. This applies to prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications that parents wish their child to take while attending The Bement School. 2 . Day students are required to notify the SHS nurse when prescribed medications are to be taken at school and when dosages are changed. A prescription for all medications prescribed by a US-based physician must be submitted electronically to shs@bement.org, faxed to Student Health Services at 413774-3524, or by mailing the written prescription to: Student Health Services, 94 Old Main Street, Deerfield, MA 01342.

*Each medication must be completed on a ‘Medication Order Form’. Prescriptions and medication information should be provided to SHS no later than August 1 in order for proper planning to take place before your child arrives at school. All medications prescribed by a non-US-based physician will be transcribed by the school physician after reviewing the provided documentation and examining your child.

3 . Over-the-counter medications will be administered according to Standing

Orders written by the medical director. Medications are administered based on presenting symptoms, medical history, reported allergies, and our clinical evaluation, but each student must have a fully completed ‘OTC Medication

Form’ in order for any medication to be administered. 4 . Student Health Services staff does not mail or send students home with medications. Parents are responsible to have a supply of medication at home. If your boarding student is spending the weekend off campus and needs his/her medication, an adult needs to coordinate with the SHS nurse to obtain the medication.

5 . No students (day or boarding) are allowed to have medications, vitamins or supplements in their room or in their possession unless authorized by the

Student Health Services nurses or doctor. Any packages arriving to the dorms that are suspected of containing medication or medical supplies will be opened by the student in the presence of a dorm parent. Any medication will be directed to SHS for approval by the school physician and for a proper administration plan to be put into place. Any medications, vitamins or supplements provided to the student from home must have a written diagnosis, prescription, and ‘Medication Order Form’ completed and signed by the prescribing physician, be in the original sealed package, and labeled clearly in English. 6 . Injectable medications (such as growth hormones, insulin, and EpiPens) must have a written diagnosis, prescription, and ‘Medication Order Form’ completed and signed by the prescribing physician, as well as pre-notification of the student’s use of the medication. All growth hormones, insulin, and EpiPens must be in pre-filled cartridges and will be injected with the injectable pen specifically made for that purpose. It must be in the original package and labeled clearly in English. 7 . In certain cases a student may be allowed to self-administer medication provided that certain conditions are met. If the Student Health Services nurse evaluates the student’s health status and abilities, and deems self-administration safe and appropriate, the student, SHS nurse and parent/guardian, enter into an agreement which specifies the conditions under which medication may be self-administered.

These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis. EpiPens and rescue inhalers will always be approved by SHS for all upper school students to self-administer and self-carry; and on a case-by-case basis lower school students may have an extra EpiPen and/or rescue inhaler in their backpack if approved by SHS, but these are not meant to replace the EpiPens designated to stay with the executive assistant and lower school teachers.