Licensing Standards for DayCare Centers

Section 10:122-7.5
Administration and Control of Prescription and Non-Prescription Medicines and Health Care Procedures

GEN (a) Centers that choose not to administer medicationx "medication:policy" or health care procedures to a child shall inform the parents of this policy prior to the child's enrollment.

(b) For centers that choose to allow prescription or non-prescription medicationx "medication:parent authorization" or health care procedures to be administered to a child, the following shall apply:

1. Medication and health care procedures shall be administered only after receipt of written approval from the child's parentx "parent:permission:administration of medication"(s).

2. The director shall designate those staff members who are authorized to administer medicationx "medication:designated staff" or health care procedures to, or to supervise self-administration of medication or health care procedures by, those children whose parent(s) authorize it.

3. All medicationx "medication:storage" and health care equipment shall be kept either in a locked cabinet or in an area that is inaccessible to the children.

4. The directorx "director" shall ensure that the staff member(s) responsible for administering medication and health care procedures are informed of every child's medication and health care needs.

5. Any prescription medicationx "medication:prescription" for a child shall be:

   i. Prescribed in the name of and specifically for the child; and

   ii. Stored in its prescription container, which has been labeled with the child's name, the name of the medication, the date it was prescribed or updated and directions for its administration.

6. The center shall limit the dispensing of non-prescription over-the-counter medicationx "medication:non-prescription" to the following types of medicines, which shall be dispensed in accordance with the recommended dosage, age and/or weight of the child, as indicated on the label:

   i. Antihistamines/decongestants;

   ii. Acetaminophens (aspirin substitutes);

   iii. Cough suppressants; and

   iv. Topical ointments.

7. The center may permit the dispensing of non-prescription medication other than those listed in (b)6 above if the child's physicianx "medication:physician authorization" authorizes it in writing.

8. Unused medication and health care equipment shall be returned to the parent(s) when no longer being administered.

9. The center shall maintain on file a recordx "children's records:medications" of the following:

   i. The child's name and parental authorization for the center to administer medicationx "parent:permission:administration of medication"x "medication:records" or health care proceduresx "parent:permission:health care procedures";

   ii. The name of the medication or health care procedure;

   iii. The condition for which the medication or health care procedure is being used;

   iv. The instructions for administration, including the dosage and frequency;

   v. The time medication or a health care procedure was administered to a child and the name or initials of the staff member who administered it; and

   vi. Any adverse effect the medication can have or has had on the child.

10. If a child has a chronic health condition requiring the administration of prescription or non-prescription medicationx "medication:for chronic condition" or health care procedures on a long-term basis, the center shall obtain from the child's parent a written statement from a licensed physician indicating:

    i. The name of the child;

    ii. The name of the medication or procedure;

    iii. The condition or indications for administration of the medication or procedure;

    iv. The instructions for administration of the medication or procedure; and

    v. The name and telephone number of the physicianx "physician:authorization:health care procedure".

11. If the center chooses to administer health care procedures associated with a child's health condition, such as the use of a glucometerx "glucometer" or nebulizerx "nebulizer", the center shall ensure that all staff members who administer the procedure are taught to do so by an appropriately trained person.

1. Centers that choose to administer medicationx "medication:designated staff" or health care procedures shall ensure that all medication and health care procedures are administered by designated staff.

1. Centers that choose to administer or permit a child to self-administer medicationx "medication:self-administration by child" or health care procedures shall:

   i. Obtain written authorization for self-administration from the child's parentx "parent:permission:administration of medication", if applicable; and

   ii. Ensure that the medication or health care procedure is administered by or under the supervisionx "supervision:of medication" of authorized staff.

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