Salem Public Schools School Health Services Medication Policy
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 94C and chapter 71, Section 54B, school nurses will be responsible for the administration and storage of all medication and the maintenance of accurate medication records on all students. Pursuant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 105 CMR 210.000 regulations, no other individual will be allowed to administer medication unless the school nurse has appropriately trained them.
During the school day, the administration of either prescription or non-prescription medications must comply with the regulations and protocols of the Massachusetts Department of Public health and the Salem Public Schools as follows:
The school health office must have on file a written order from a Licensed Health Care Provider detailing the student’s name, name of the drug, dosage, frequency of time and route of administration, date of order, discontinue date and diagnosis, if not in violation of confidentiality. For short-term prescription medications, i.e. those requiring administration for ten school days or fewer, the pharmacy-labeled container may be used in lieu of an order.
A written consent form is required for the administration of all medications. The form must be signed by the parent/guardian and will provide an emergency telephone number, contact person, and a list of all medications the student is currently receiving, if not inviolation of confidentiality or contrary to the request of the parent/guardian or a majority age student that such medications not be documented.
Medication must be delivered to school by a parent/guardian or responsible adult in the properly labeled pharmacy container. No other container is acceptable.
Any medication administered by injection must be given in the health office with the exception of insulin delivery systems.
Students may not carry medication of any kind on their person with the exception of asthma inhalers, Epi-Pens, enzyme supplements and insulin delivery systems and then only with documentation from the Licensed Health Care Provider and parent/guardian and the approval of the school nurse.
The school nurse, in collaboration with the parent/guardian, shall establish a medication administration plan for each student receiving medication.
Standing orders for over-the-counter medication (e.g. Acetaminophen) written by the school physician maybe administered in accordance with the protocol for each medication if a Permission to Treat form signed by the parent/guardian is filed in the health office.
Medication Administration Forms
Medical Forms
Massachusetts School Immunization Law
No student shall, except as hereinafter provided, be admitted to school except upon presentation of a physician’s certificate that the child has been successfully immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles and poliomyelitis and such other communicable diseases as may be specified from time to time by the Department of Public Health.
A child shall be admitted to school upon certification by a physician that he has personally examined such child and that in his opinion the physical condition of the child is such that his health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations. Such certification shall be submitted at the beginning of each school year to the physician in charge of the school health program. If the physician in charge of the school health program does not agree with the opinion of the child’s physician, the matter shall be referred to the Department of Public Health, whose decision will be final.
In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the Department of Public Health, no child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with his sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present said physician’s certificate in order to be admitted to school.
Chapter 76, Section 15 of The Massachusetts General Laws
For more information, contact your health care provider or school nurse
Massachusetts DPH Immunization Program 617-983-6800
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations