St. Michael Catholic School Health and Medical Information

Students who have restrictable diseases or conditions must be excluded from school. Health Room Students may go to the health room only with permission of a classroom or playground teacher. Students may not go home from school without the permission of both the classroom teacher and the notification of a family member.  Communicable Diseases  In the school environment, many communicable diseases or conditions are easily transmitted form one individual to another. Among the most common school restrictable diseases or conditions in students are head lice, chicken pox, mumps and measles.

Parent to School Notification

Parents should notify the school immediately if their child has come into contact with or has any contagious disease or condition, such as but not limited to, chicken pox, pink eye, and/or head lice.

Immunizations 

Students entering Archdiocesan schools must provide a signed Certificate of Immunization Status form documenting either evidence of immunization or a religious and/or medical exemption prior to initial attendance.  Washington's immunization law requires school children to have their shots when they enter school. Students between 5 and 14 years must have immunizations for DPT, Polio, measles, rubella, hepatitis and chicken pox. Law specifies the required number for each shot. Parents of kindergarten students, first grade students and any other new students must bring immunization records to the school office before beginning school in the fall. 

Medication

Medication means any prescription or over-the-counter medication including but not limited to vitamins and food supplements; eye, ear and nose drops; inhalants; medicated ointments or lotions; aspirins; cough drops; and antacids. According to state guidelines the law makes no distinction between over-the-counter medicine and prescription medication. In all cases, written parental permission and physician's instructions must be on file. The school recognizes that administering of medication by the school to students and self-medication may be necessary when the failure to take such medication would jeopardize the health of the student or the student would not be able to attend school if medication were not made available during school hours. Consequently, students may be permitted to take non-injectable prescription or non-prescription medication to school, on a temporary or regular basis under school supervision. The parent in writing shall make all requests for the school to administer medication to a student. Requests shall include the written instructions of the physician for the administration of a prescription medication to a student or the written instructions of the parent for the administration of a nonprescription mediation to a student. A prescription label will be deemed sufficient to meet the requirements for written prescription. The school reserves the right to reject a request to administer prescription or nonprescription medication when, in the judgment of the school, the administration of such medication is not feasible. This policy shall not prohibit, in any way, the administration of recognized first aid to students by school personnel in accordance with established state law. 

Medication Dispensation Guidelines

Prescription Medication

The following is required for: "any non-injectable drugs, chemical compounds, suspensions or preparations, which are taken either internally or externally by a student under the instruction of a physician." a. Written instructions from the doctor which include: i. Name of student ii. Name of medication iii. Dosage iv. Time and/or frequency of administration v. Method of administration (e.g., mouth, nose, ear, etc.) b. It is recommended that the physician note any possible adverse reactions and action required. These instructions may be included on a prescription label or in separate written directions from the physician. "Take as directed" or "as needed" cannot be taken as specific direction. c. The authorization form attached must be signed and filled out completely by the parent or guardian. d. All prescription medication must be in the prescription bottle and clearly labeled. (If the student is also taking the medication at home, the medication can be issued by druggist in two separate bottles.) e. Unused medications must be picked up by parent when treatment is complete or at the end of the school year. Medication left at school past the end of the school year will be destroyed. Prescription Medication (Injectables) The following is required for: "any injectables for students who have severe allergic responses to insect sting, to other specific allergens and to students who are experiencing severe hypoglycemia when other treatment has failed or cannot be initiated. a. Written instructions from the doctor which include: i. Name of student ii. Name of medication iii. Dosage iv. Time and/or frequency of administration v. Method of administration (e.g., mouth, nose, ear, etc.) b. The parent shall make the request in writing for the school to administer, as necessary, injectable medication (medication administered by the intramuscular route) to the student. c. The request must include written instructions of the doctor for the administration of an injectable medication to the student. (A prescription label on the original container of the injectable medication is deemed sufficient to meet the requirements for written physician instruction).

Non-Prescription Medication

The following is required for only commercially prepared, non-alcohol based medication to be taken at school that is necessary for the student to remain in school. This shall be limited to eyes, nose and cough drops, cough suppressants, analgesics (pain relievers), decongestants, antihistamines, topical antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antacids." a. Written instructions from the parent which include: I. Name of student II. Name of medication III. Dosage IV. Time and/or frequency of administration V. Method of administration (e.g., mouth, nose, ear, etc.) b. All non-prescription medication must be in original container or packaging. c. Unused medications must be picked up by parent when treatment is complete or at the end of the school year. Medication left at school past the end of the school year will be destroyed. d. Since the training of staff members to be authorized to administer injectable medication must be conducted under the supervision of a licensed physical or nurse practitioner parents/guardians cannot train the designated school personnel in the use of injectables.

Medication Dispensation Authorization Form

Plans are organized and made based on information provided from the doctor and the guardian of the student in need of the medication.