Noah s Ark Nursery Administering Medicines Policy
NOAH S ARK NURSERY Administering Medicines Policy Version: Unique Identifier: Ratified by (name of Committee): Date ratified: Date issued: Expiry date: (Document is not valid after this date) Review date: Lead Executive/Director: Name of originator/author: Target audience: Final CO-001 Provider Quality and Safety Committee March 2011 June 2011 March 2014 June 2013 Vicky Preece, Associate Director of Nursing and Therapies and Lead Executive Nurse Sue Lahiff, Matron, Evesham Community Hospital Nursery staff, children and children s parents and carers. If you would like this information in other languages or formats (i.e. large print) please contact the Communications Team on 01905 760020 or email communications@hacw.nhs.uk All staff must ensure that no one in the organisation discriminates (directly or indirectly) or victimises another person on the grounds of sex, age, disability (including reasons of a person s association with disabled people), race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, including transgender men and women, sexual orientation, marital status or any other unjustifiable condition or requirement. Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 1 of 7
CONTRIBUTION LIST Key individuals involved in developing the document Name Andrea Gilks Sarah Greenwood Sue Lahiff Della Lewis Jodie Van Rooyen Sue Lunec Faye Condon Rachel Hall Lynn Shone Designation Acting Nursery Manager Nursery Nurse Hospital Matron/Manager Clinical Governance Manager Clinical Audit Co-ordinator Head of Medicines Management Nursery Nurse Assistant Nursery Nurse Nursery Nurse Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 2 of 7
Administering medicines 1.1 Policy statement While it is not our policy to care for sick children, who should be at home until they are well enough to return to the nursery, we will agree to administer medication as part of maintaining their health and well-being or when they are recovering from an illness. In many cases, it is possible for children s GP s to prescribe medicine that can be taken at home in the morning and evening. As far as possible, administering medicines will only be done where it would be detrimental to the child s health if not given in the nursery. If a child has not had a medication before, especially a baby/child under two, it is advised that the parent keeps the child at home for the first 48 hours to ensure no adverse effect as well as to give time for the medication to take effect. These procedures are written in line with current guidance in Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Nursery (Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS). The nursery manager is responsible for ensuring all staff understand and follow these procedures. A Band 4 person is responsible for the correct administration of medication to children. This includes ensuring that parent consent forms have been completed, that medicines are stored correctly and that records are kept according to procedures. In the absence of the key person, the manager is responsible for the overseeing of administering medication. 1.2 EYFS key themes and commitments A Unique Child 1.4 Health and well-being Positive Relationships 2.2 Parents as partners 2.4 Key person Enabling Environments 3.2 Supporting every child Learning Development and 1.3 Procedures Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend the nursery. Children's medicines are stored in their original containers in a locked cupboard, are clearly labelled and are inaccessible to the children. Medicine spoons and oral syringes must be supplied by the parent if required. Medications may only be used for the child whose name appears on the medicine. This includes emergency adrenaline injections (Epipen). Parents must give prior written permission for the administration of medication. The staff receiving the medication must ask the parent to sign a consent form stating the following information. No medication may be given without these details being provided: full name of child and date of birth; name of medication and strength; Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 3 of 7
if child has had medication prior to nursery Y/N. If yes, what time and dosage amount; dosage to be given in the nursery; signature, printed name of parent and date. The administration of medications must follow the procedure attached at Appendix 1. The administration is recorded accurately on a medication form each time it is given and is signed by staff. Parents sign the medication form to acknowledge the administration of a medicine. The medication form records: name of child; name and strength of medication; the date and time of dose; dose given and method; and is signed by Band 4 person/manager; and is verified by parent signature at the end of the day. 2.0 Storage of medicines All medication is stored safely in a locked cupboard or refrigerated in an area where children cannot access alone. Where the cupboard or refrigerator is not used solely for storing medicines, they are kept in a marked plastic box. A member of staff from the child s room is responsible for ensuring medicine is handed back at the end of the day to the parent. For some conditions, medication may be kept in the nursery. Staff check that any medication held to administer on an as and when required basis, or on a regular basis, is in date and returns any out-of-date medication back to the parent. 3.0 Children who have long term medical conditions and who may require ongoing medication A health care plan for the child is drawn up with the parent outlining the key person s role, and what information must be shared with other staff who care for the child. The health care plan should include the measures to be taken in an emergency. The health care plan is reviewed every six months or more if necessary. This includes reviewing the medication, e.g. changes to the medication or the dosage, any side effects noted etc. Parents receive a copy of the health care plan and each contributor, including the parent, signs it. 4.0 Managing medicines on trips and outings Medication for a child is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child s name and name of the medication. Inside the box, with the medication, is a copy of the consent form/medication form with the details as given above, which the parent signs on our return. On no account may medicine be decanted into other containers or packets or envelopes. The original pharmacy labelled medication should be within the box. Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 4 of 7
If a child on medication has to be taken to hospital, the child s medication is taken in a sealed plastic box clearly labelled with the child s name, name of the medication. Inside the box is a copy of the consent form signed by the parent. This procedure is read alongside the outings procedure. 5.0 Disseminating and Implementing this Policy All nursery staff will be required to read this policy on their induction and to comply with the contents of the policy. The policy will be kept in the policy point folder and will be available for staff to refer to at all times. The implementation of the policy will be monitored by nursery staff on a day to day basis. If incidences of non-compliance do occur, this will be dealt with on a case by case basis through performance management of staff. Any adverse incidents will be recorded and reviewed to ensure the policy is fit for purpose. The policy will be formally reviewed at least every three years. Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 5 of 7
APPENDIX 1 PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN ADMINISTERING MEDICINES IN THE NURSERY PROCEDURE 1. Wash hands with bactericidal soap and water or alcoholic hand rub. Avoid touching the preparation. 2. Read the medication chart/written direction, checking the name on the chart with the patient. 3. Select the correct medication checking the drug name and instructions against the administration chart 4. Check the patient name against the medication administration card. RATIONALE To minimize the risk of infection and contamination To ensure the correct medication chart/written direction is being used To ensure the correct medication is selected To ensure that the medication is administered to the correct patient 5. Explain procedure. For children parental consent should have been obtained previously. 7/8 Administer dosage form appropriately using tot, spoon or oral syringe and offer assistance. 9. Ensure patient has a drink if allowed and appropriate 10. Record administration on chart. Communicate any problems to the parent or guardian. 11. Remove all waste in the correct manner. The patient has a right to refuse To ensure the medication is taken safely To ensure the medication is swallowed and to aid swallowing To ensure an audit trail. So that problems can be followed up To ensure waste legislation and PCT policies are followed. Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 6 of 7
Equality Impact Assessment Report Your Equality Impact Assessment Report should demonstrate what you do (or will do) to make sure that your function/policy is accessible to different people and communities, not just that it can, in theory, be used by anyone. 1. Name of policy or function Administering Medicines (Nursery) 2. Responsible Manager Sue Lahiff 3. Date EIA completed November 2010 4. Description of aims of function/policy To ensure safe administration of medicines to children in the nursery Brief summary of research and relevant data. This is based on an Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum policy. 5. Methods and outcomes of consultation. The policy has been circulated to relevant staff to ensure it is fit for purpose and workable. 6. Results of Initial Screening or Full Equality Impact Assessment Initial or Full Equality Impact Assessment? Equality Group Race Gender Disability Age Sexual Orientation Religion or Belief Human Rights Assessment of Impact 7. Decisions and or recommendations (including supporting rationale) 8. Equality action plan (if required) 9. Monitoring and review arrangements (include date of next full review) Department Nursery Directorate Hospitals Director Lisa Levy Report produced by & job title Della Lewis - Clinical Governance Manager Date report produced November 2010 Date report published March 2011 Administering Medicines - Nursery Page 7 of 7