Medications 5-57

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-57

STUDENTS

Medications

1. Student Medication at School
   1. Any student under medical care and using prescribed medication or homeopathic treatment during school hours must present to the school nurse, the principal, or designee, an order from a physician, a nurse practitioner, or a dentist stating the name of the medication prescribed for the student, the time to be administered, the dosage of medication, and the total duration of treatment. Statement of diagnosis is recommended. Administration of medication at school also requires the written signature of the parent/legal guardian for minor students.
   2. All medicine will be secured in the clinic in its original container or in an appropriately labeled pharmacy container. The adult student or parent/legal guardian must transport prescription medication to the student's school. Extenuating circumstances (i.e., asthma) may require modification to this policy and will be considered by the principal on an individual basis. Students may not have possession or control of such medication or treatments.
   3. Unless written as a prescription, over-the-counter medications or homeopathic treatments will not be administered during school hours.
2. Possession and Administration of Epinephrine in Schools

   In accordance with the Code of Virginia § 22.1-274.2,Possession and self-administration of inhaled asthma medications and epinephrine by certain students or school board employees,and the Virginia School Health Guidelines, Anaphylaxis in the School Setting Guidelines,the Superintendent has included in the Health Services Manual theHampton Roads Regional Schools Life-threatening Allergy Management Protocol.The goals of the protocol are to ensure that students receive an appropriate emergency school response for anaphylaxis (severe allergy reaction). This emergency response will include the administration of prescribed epinephrine by school nurses and designated trained employees.

3. Albuterol Administration to Any Student Experiencing Respiratory Distress

   In accordance with applicable law, schools will possess albuterol metered doses inhalers (MDI), and valved holding chambers, and to administer undesignated stock albuterol to any student experiencing respiratory distress. After completion of training and with a standing order for undesignated stock albuterol from the local health department director, school nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), and non-medical personnel may administer albuterol to any student experiencing respiratory distress.

Legal Reference

Code of Virginia § 22.1-274.2, as amended. Possession and self-administration of inhaled asthma medications and epinephrine by certain students or school board employees.

Code of Virginia § 8.01-226.5:1, as amended. Civil immunity for school board employees supervising self-administration of certain medication.

Virginia School Health Guidelines (December 2020), as amended. Recognition and Treatment of Anaphylaxis in the School Setting.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Health Services Manual Protocols (2012),Hampton Roads Regional Schools Life-threatening Allergy Management Protocol.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Health Services Manual Protocols (2012), as amended. Protocol for Use of Undesignated Stock Albuterol for Students in Respiratory Distress.

Approved by Superintendent: July 16, 1991
Revised by Superintendent: September 21, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Revised by Superintendent: May 5, 2009
Adopted by School Board: October 2, 2012
Amended by School Board: October 11, 2022