Any prescription or over the counter medication must be accompanied by a completed medication request form and turned in to the school nurse. For student safety, all medication should be brought to the clinic by a parent/guardian; however, controlled substances, such as medication for ADD/ADHD and some prescription pain medications, must be brought to the clinic and signed in by the parent/guardian. Written permission from parents and physician is required for students to carry and self-administer medications. Only insulin, asthma reliever inhalers or emergency epinephrine, will be allowed.

Intramuscular injections (IM) will only be administered in life-threatening situations per physician emergency action plans. Intravenous (IV) medications will not be given.

Prescription medication must be in the original labeled pharmacy containter and will be administered in compliance with the prescription instructions printed on the label.

Non-prescription (over the counter) and homeopathic medications, dietary and herbal supplements will be given if all of the following requirements are met:

All the above must be supplied by the parent and accompanied by written permission.
Medications/supplements must be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and appear in the United States Pharmacopeia.
Medications/supplements must be in their original, properly labeled container.
Only medications/supplements that cannot be given at home will be given at school.
A written request will be required from a physician or other healthcare professional with authority to write prescriptions to administer approved non-prescription, homeopathic medications, herbal substances or dietary supplements when such medications are to be administered for more than ten (10) consecutive school days.
Will be given in compliance with a student's Individual Education Plan or 504 plan in accordance with Federal and State law.

Expired medications will not be given. Medications stored in the school clinic must be picked up by the parent/guardian before the last day of school. No unused medication will be sent home with a student and any unused medication left at the end of the school year will be destroyed.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressue or shock. Common examples of potentially life threatening allergies are those to food or stinging insect. Other allergic reactions may also occur to medications, latex or while exercising. The emergency treatment is epinephrine, which is usually supplied in epi-pens. All clinics are stocked with epinephrine and Benadryl with standing orders from the district medical officer. This is for use by the nurse in case of unexpected anaphylaxis.

Plano ISD has developed guidelines to manage students with these life threatening allergies, so that they may safely participate in the educational process. Students who are at risk for developing anaphylaxis are entitled to carry and self-administer their anaphylaxis medications (epi-pens) while at school or a school event, if they have met the legal requirements below: The medication and the self-administration must be authorized by a physician or licensed health care provider. The student must demonstrate to the physician, other health care provider and to the school nurse, if available, the skill level necessary to self-administer the medication. Plano ISD has developed an Allergy Action Plan that has the components of the legal requirements included within it. Please contact your school nurse before enrollment or at the start of the new school year, to obtain all the proper paper work needed that will help ensure the safety of your student with an allergy.

Food Allergy (including, but not limited to, peanut allergy)

Plano ISD food allergy management plans will be individualized to all students who have food allergies. Once notified of the student's allergy, a working partnership with students, parents, student's physician, school nurse and other Plano ISD personnel, as appropriate, begins the foundation for the development of an individual health plan (IHP). Upon receipt of signed medical plans and parental consent, the IHP is developed. The first to be addressed is the emergency response. This ensures that a team of at least three (3) principal-designated staff members, daily working with the affected student, are trained to recognize an allergic reaction, have the rescue drugs readily available and quickly treat the student. This will include training of these staff members, at least annually, or more frequently, as the school nurse deems. The emergency response team in each school drills every semester to hone their response skills. In the case of severe life threatening allergies, the school principal will collaborate with the school nurse to send letters to other parents of the class requesting parents to voluntarily refrain from sending the allergen food in their child's belongings during school or for after-school activities, celebrations or parties. Depending on physical constraints within the school, the principal may designate a food-allergy friendly area or lunch table. The Food and Nutritional service department in collaboration with the parents and school nurse will follow their policy for medical documentation for meal substitution, when applicable. Also, site-based Food Service Managers will flag the child's account through the point-of-sale system. Hand washing guidelines to staff and students are enforced. The custodial department will be instructed to use commercial wipes and cleaners that remove the allergent from the hard surfaces. Non-food items will be adapted in curriculum for those classes who have students with food allergies. The transportation department will also be notified, and trained to recognize the specific reactions to life threatening allergies, if applicable. While Plano ISD cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment at school, the district is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of every child who has allergies.

Asthma Care

The 77th Texas Legislature enacted House Bill 1688, which amends the Education Code to entitle a student with asthma to possess and self-administer prescription asthma medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity. The bill specified the conditions under which a student is entitled to possess and self-administer asthma medication. If a physician feels it is medically necessary for a student with asthma to carry and self-administer prescription asthma medication, the student must have on file in the school nurse's office an Asthma Action Plan form provided by the State of Texas. This form can be obtained from the school nurse. The Asthma Action Plan must be filled out each year by the student's prescribing physician and must be signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent/guardian.

Diabetes Care

The Plano ISD requires the following forms be signed by the parent/guardian for all students seeking diabetes care while at school: 1) Diabetes Medical Management Plan, signed by the student’s physician, and 2) district medication forms for use of insulin, glucagons, glucose tablets/gels, etc.

House Bill No. 984 (Care of the Student with Diabetes) enacted in 2005, specifies that each school train one (1) unlicensed diabetes care assistant (UDAC), if a full-time nurse is assigned to the school. In order to protect the safety and health of students, the Plano ISD has chosen to have a minimum of three (3) UDACs trained at each campus, in addition to the nurse. Training of the UDACs is provided under the supervision of a health care professional with expertise in the care of persons with diabetes. The UDACs will provide diabetes management and care services, if the nurse is unavailable. Such services include, but are not limited to, the administration of insulin, or in an emergency, the administration of glucagon. A student’s parent/guardian is required to provide all necessary supplies/food for the student with diabetes.

The Plano ISD requires a student’s parent/guardian to sign an Authorization for Administration of Diabetes Management and Care Services by Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistant form. If the student’s parent/guardian chooses not to sign the form, the parent/guardian will be responsible for administration of the diabetes care, in the event the school nurse is not available.

In addition, a Quick Reference Emergency Plan (QREP), completed by the school nurse and the student’s parent/guardian, will be provided to district employees who are responsible for providing transportation for, or supervision of, a student during an off-campus activity. The QREP identifies the student with diabetes, the potential emergencies that may occur and provides the telephone numbers of contact persons in case of an emergency.