Administration of prescribed medication by Centre Staff

REGULATION – 46 1A, 47 1B(I), 1C(I), 57 2B LICENSING CRITERIA – HS28, HS29

Purpose

At Spotted Frog we want to ensure that all medicines (prescription and non-prescription) are administered and stored appropriately and safely and a record of medicines given to children and by whom will be kept.

Categories of medicine and written authority required from parents for criterion HS28

Category (i) medicines Definition –

a non-prescription preparation (such as arnica cream, antiseptic liquid, insect bit treatment spray etc) that is not ingested; used for the first aid treatment of minor injuries; and provided by the service and kept in the first aid cabinet Authority required – a written authority from a parent given at enrolment (on enrolment form) to the use of specific preparations on their child for the period that they are enrolled.

Category (ii) medicines Definition
a prescription (such as antibiotics, eye/ear drops) or non-prescription (such as paracetamol liquid, cough syrp etc) medicine that is used for a specific period of time to treat a specific condition or symptom; and provided by a parent for the use of that child only or, in relation to Rongo Maori, that is prepared by other adults at the service. Authority required – a written authority from a parent given at the beginning of each day the medicine is administered, detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose), and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) medicine is to be given.

Category (iii) medicines Definition
a prescription (such as asthma inhalers, epilepsy medication etc) or non-prescription (such as antihistamine syrup, lanolin cream) medicine that is used for the ongoing treatment of a pre-diagnosed condition (such as asthma, epilepsy, allergic reaction, diabetes etc) and provided by a parent for the use of that child only Authority Required – a written authority (see category (iii) attached) from a parent given at enrolment as part of an individual health plan, or whenever there is a change, detailing what (name of medicine), how (method and dose), and when (time or specific symptoms/circumstances) the medicine should be given.

Objectives

  1. All parents and staff are aware of this policy and it will be included in the enrolment pack 
  2. Parents will fill in and sign the medicine register, housed in the kitchen drawer, before medicine will be administered. Category (iii) medicines will require the Administration of Medicines Category (iii) to be filled out. 
  3. A register is maintained and signed each time medication is administered. 
  4. The medical practitioner’s directions or age appropriate guidelines, included on the label of all medicines, are followed. 
  5. When treatment/medication is given on an irregular needs basis, e.g.Ventolin for asthma, the details are recorded in the Medications Register. 
  6. Medication of the type referred to in this policy are stored in the kitchen fridge or in a secure cupboard. 
  7. Children requiring medication obtain this from a trained first aider (NZQA accredited, Unit 6400). When medication is administered by the first aid trained staff member, this is also witnessed by another adult on staff. All staff with appropriate training are displayed on the parent information board. 
  8. Entries in the Medication Register include: the child’s name, the date and quantities of medication given, signature of the parent/whanau/caregiver and the staff member who administered the medication.  
  9. If medication is refused, or not taken, this fact is noted in the register and the child’s parent is contacted. 
  10. If Spotted Frog is unable to find a staff member who is willing to administer medication, the child’s parent is requested to perform this task. 
  11. All Category (iii) medicine forms will be reviewed every three months to ensure that all details, amounts to administer and symptoms are still relevant. Reviews are to be noted on the form.

Get in contact
If you have any further questions or concerns, please email Bee Hamlin at bee@spottedfrog.co.nz or visit the centre and we'll be happy to discuss any concerns you have.