Procedures for Self-Administration

Table of Contents

The school procedure and protocol has eight steps for self-administration:

  1. The parent or guardian must provide a signed, dated authorization for students to self-administer medication.
  2. An authorized healthcare provider, such as physician, physician’s assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or other person allowed to prescribe medications under Iowa Law, must provide written authorization that includes the student’s name, the purpose of the medication, dosage, times and any special medication administration procedures.
  3. The medication must be in the original labeled container as dispensed or the manufacturer’s container labeled with the student name, name of the medication, directions for use and date.
  4. The authorization must be renewed annually. If any changes occur in the medication, dosage or time of administration, the parent is responsible to immediately notify school officials and update the authorization(s).
  5. The parent or guardian signs a statement acknowledging that the district and school and its employees, by law, incur no liability, except for gross negligence, as a result of any injury arising from self-administration. The student does not have to show competency in administering medication for asthma or other airway constricting disease correctly.
  6. It is recommended that the student maintain a self-administration record. It is recommended that the nurse, student’s parents, educational team, and student maintain open communication.
  7. It is recommended that the parent or guardian agrees information and questions about a student’s self-administration of medication at school may be discussed with the prescriber as signed in the authorization form.
  8. If the student misuses the self-administration policy, the self-administration should be discussed with parents, the school nurse and school administration. It is recommended that medically advisable consequences be considered and safety.

Procedures for Self-Administration of asthma, or other airway constricting disease medication, epinephrine auto-injectors, bronchodilator canisters, or bronchodilator canisters and spacers.

Iowa law requires districts and schools to allow students with asthma or other airway constricting disease to carry and self-administer medications. If the steps listed above are implemented, the law permits students with asthma or other airway constricting disease to carry and use their medications while in school, at school-sponsored activities.