Medication Management

Medication Management
Category: Medical Care
Download Link: MC3.pdf (232.17 KB)
Last Revised: Dec. 31, 2024
Recommended Practice:

Whenever possible, medications should be administered at home, under the supervision of a parent or guardian, before or after a youth participant attends a camp or university youth program. Unit leaders should also allow parents or guardians access to the program's location, so they can administer medications directly to their child throughout the course of the day or duration of the program.

For the purposes of this guidance, the term "administer" refers to the direct application of any medication, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion or other means, to the body of the participant by an individual authorized to do so. Administering does not mean storing or dispensing medication, or monitoring youth who self-administer their own medication.

If it is not possible for a parent or guardian to administer medication to their own child, consider the following recommendations:

  • Self-administration of medications: It is recommended that program staff should not directly administer any medications*, but may monitor the self-administration of medications by minor participants who are developmentally and behaviorally able, based on physician’s orders and with written consent from the minor's parent or guardian.
  • Storing and dispensing medications: If the sponsoring unit has designated personnel on site with the appropriate training and unit authorization, then the designated personnel may store and dispense to minor participants medications that are supplied by the minor's parent or guardian and with written consent from the minor’s parent or guardian.
  • Requesting accommodations: Make every effort to ensure access for all youth and provide reasonable accommodation for participants who may not be developmentally or behaviorally able to self-administer their own medications. It may be reasonable to train personnel to administer medications as a disability-related accommodation. A parent or guardian should always be involved in discussions about accommodation requests. Units should contact the office of Equal Opportunity & Access (EOA) for consultation. 

*Life-threatening conditions (e.g., anaphylactic reaction to a substance that requires an EpiPen or inhaler) may require exceptions to the Self-Administration recommended practice, such as storage in department-owned first-aid kits. For training protocol, refer to Oregon Health Authority's (OHA's) guidance on Treatment of Severe Allergic Reaction. 

 

Evidence or Documentation:
  • Documented protocol for identifying designated personnel and ensuring they have appropriate training to dispense medications. 
  • Documented written procedure for storing and dispensing medications. (See Table 2 - Medication Dispensing Procedures),
  • Form for tracking individual youth participants’ medications, including dosage and timing of consumption.
  • Form for obtaining parent consent to provide medical treatment, including storing and dispensing medications to youth participants.

 

Table 2 - Medication Dispensing Procedures

The following recommended protocols should be considered for university youth programs with designated personnel who are trained and authorized to dispense medications to minor participants:

  • All medications should be stored in the original packaging and clearly labeled with the participant’s name.
  • Prescription medications should also include a label with the medication’s name and dosage instructions, as well as the prescribing physician’s name and telephone number.
  • Medications should be stored in a locked and secure location such as a locking cabinet or storage box at all times.
  • Any medication that requires refrigeration should be stored in a locked refrigerator or a locked box inside a refrigerator that is designated for medications only.
  • The minor participant should be given the medication to self-administer under the supervision of designated personnel.

 

Applies to:
  • University-operated youth programs.

 

Related Information:

 

Self-Assessment:

Does the unit or program operator have a documented protocol for identifying designated personnel and ensuring they have appropriate training to dispense medications?

               YES        NO

Does the unit or program operator require that all medications are stored in a locked and secure location?

               YES        NO

Does the unit or program operator have a mechanism to track individual youth participants’ medications, including dosage and timing of consumption?

               YES        NO

 

Reference Number
MC3