From time to time children attending school will require various types of medical services and attention. The type of treatment may range all the way from treatment for cuts and bruises to providing extensive and difficult treatment and procedures for chronic care children. The prime responsibility in providing those latter health services lies with the Departments of Education, Health, and Social Services. However, schools have the responsibility to assist in the delivery of these services.

In administering medication and/or any type of treatment to meet the physical needs of the child a teacher should exercise extreme caution and prudence. Because teachers and school boards might be found liable under certain conditions, there is a need for each and every board to develop a strong policy in this particular area. There is further need for strong adherence to such a policy for the personal well being and protection of the students health as well as the protection of the teacher.

A. Chronic Care

Whereas the provision of chronic care requires the services of qualified health professionals provided at the local level through the appropriate ministries named in the introduction of this policy, it is recognized that policy statements and job descriptions may require teachers (under reasonable and normal circumstances) to be responsible for such services as: positioning, assistance with mobility, feeding, toileting and general maintenance of physically disabled students. Health professionals should provide such services as injection of medication, catheterization, manual expression of bladder/stoma, and postural drainage and tube feeding. The provision of such procedures will be primarily the responsibility of the parent in consultation with the school officials.

B. Medication Forms

Where teachers are requested to administer prescribed oral medication to students, the following procedures should apply:

(i) School boards should supply authorized oral medication request forms to all schools.

(ii) These forms should contain:

a) the signature of the parent or guardian;
b) the signature of the physician prescribing the medication;
c) the name, dosage, frequency and method of administration;
d) the dates for which the medication applies;
e) prescription number and name, address and phone number of the drug store supplying the medication;
f) any side effects of the medication and rededication procedures;
g) specific request that the teacher administer the medication;
h) consent statement allowing the teacher to administer the medication;
i) acknowledgement that the teacher is not a medically trained person;
j) storage and safe keeping requirements for the medication as directed by the prescribing physician;
k) name and telephone number of the physician to be contacted in case of an emergency.

All signed forms should be kept in the principal's office to ensure that all regular and substitute teachers have access to such records.

C. Treatment

Since students from time to time require medication and treatment, teachers may be required to provide such medication and treatment as may be directed by the appropriate physician(s). However, this does not remove the responsibility of parents/guardians to see that medication and treatment, if possible, are administered outside of school hours, or, through their initiative, during school hours. It is advisable that parents inform the schools of any physical/medical needs of the child in instances where it might affect the health and well being of the child.

In administering treatment the teacher shall adhere to the following procedures:

(i) Prescribed oral medication shall be brought to the school by a parent or guardian, shall be clearly labelled in the proper container and shall be stored in a secure place to prevent unauthorized access.

(ii) The medication shall be stored as per the direction of the prescribing physician.

(iii) A record of administration of the medication shall be kept on file and shall include the child's name, place and quantity of dosage given, and the signature of the administering teacher.

(iv) Medication is to be administered in a manner which allows for sensitivity and privacy and which encourages the child to take an appropriate level of responsibility for the required drug.

(v) Outdated medication shall be disposed of upon written direction of the prescribing physician.

(vi) At no time shall teachers administer non prescription medication to students.

 

D. Accident and Injury

In the emergency situation teacher(s) should act as quickly as possible (within their level of competence) to assist a child; especially if failure to act may prove injurious or life threatening to a child, or the children placed in the teacher's care.

(i) Teachers should take every precaution to ensure that students work and play under safe, supervised conditions.

(ii) When students are engaging in activities where physical risk is increased such as while involved in physical education activities, laboratory experiments, and industrial arts programs, First Aid Kits shall be accessible and a person knowledgeable in First Aid should be available.

(iii) When an accident occurs a teacher who is present shall stay with the victim and ensure that first aid treatment and, if necessary, medical attention is provided as quickly as possible.

Note Regarding teacher responsibilities and potential liabilities of teachers and other school board personnel.

The Emergency Medical Aid Act of 1971 gives certain protection to physicians, registered nurses, and other persons who voluntarily render emergency first aid assistance from legal action except in the case of gross negligence. If emergency first aid assistance is rendered at the immediate scene of the accident or emergency, such persons are not liable for damages for injuries to, or death of, the person who received medical assistance unless it is established that the injuries, or death were caused by gross negligence on the part of the physician, registered nurse or other person.

"Gross negligence" has been defined as being a very marked departure from the ordinary and reasonable standard of care or, from another standpoint, a willful and wanton disregard of the welfare of others.