Administration Of Authorised Medication Policy (QA2) ✅

Woodlands - Administration of Authorised Medication Policy

NQS

QA2	2.1.2	Health practices and procedures - Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.
	2.2.1	Supervision - At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.

National Regulations

Regs	90	Medical conditions policy
	91	Medical conditions policy to be provided to parents
	92	Medication record
	93	Administration of medication
	94	Exception to authorisation requirement - anaphylaxis or asthma emergency
	95	Procedure for administration of medication
	96	Self-administration of medication

EYLF

LO3	Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing. Educators promote continuity of children’s personal health and hygiene by sharing ownership of routines and schedules with children, families and the community

Aim
At Woodlands our educators will only administer medication to a child if it is authorised or the child is experiencing an Allergy, Anaphylaxis and Asthma emergency. We recognise it is essential to follow strict procedures for the administration of medication to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of each child at Woodlands.
Woodlands will ensure educators and all staff have the appropriate training needed to deal with the medical conditions or specific health care needs of the children enrolled in the service. 

Related Policies

• Emergency Service Contact Policy
  
• Enrolment Policy
  
• Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy
• Medical Conditions Policy

Implementation

At Woodlands our educators will only administer medication to children if it is authorised by parents or another authorised person named on the enrolment form. If there is a medical emergency, we will also administer medication when authorised verbally by a parent or another authorised person, medical practitioner, or emergency service, however, we may administer medication during an allergy, asthma or anaphylaxis emergency without first receiving authorisation. 

The medication under the Regulations includes medication covered by the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Therapeutic goods include those for therapeutic use to: 

• prevent, diagnose, cure or alleviate a disease, ailment, defect or injury
• influence, inhibit, or modify a physiological process. 

This covers products such as nappy cream and sunscreen. All nappy cream and sunscreen that is provided by families must not contain nuts. If a nappy cream or sunscreen provided contains nuts we will not apply this and instead the cream/sunscreen will be sent back home. 

The nominated supervisor will ensure a copy of this policy is provided to parents upon request. 

The nominated supervisor will ensure that children’s medication is regularly audited to ensure it has not expired and is in the original container with legible labels.

In collaboration with the family/carers, the service must develop a risk minimisation plan and communication plan if an enrolled child has a specific health care need, allergy or relevant medical condition, to minimise risk by ensuring staff and volunteers understand the medical conditions policy and each child’s medical requirements. The appropriate medical management and communication plans, and risk assessments are completed, and all relevant actions are managed to minimise the risks to the child’s health in consultation with families. If a child is diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis, ensure that a notice is displayed in a position visible from the main entrance to inform families and visitors to the service. Plans are to be reviewed and updated yearly with Nominated supervisor and family signature. 

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/DealingMedicalConditionsChildrenGuidelines.pdf

Families will:

The child’s medical practitioner must prepare the plan, and the parent must then provide it to the service.

It should include:

• details of the diagnosed health care need, allergy or relevant medical condition including the severity of the condition
• any current medication prescribed for the child
• the response required from the service in relation to the emergence of symptoms
• any medication required to be administered in an emergency
• the response required if the child does not respond to initial treatment
• when to call an ambulance for assistance.

Ensure communication is ongoing with Educator and families with the regular updates as to the management of the child’s medical condition or specific health care need. 

https://www.vic.gov.au/managing-childrens-medical-conditions-early-childhood-services 

Administration Of Medication (non-emergency)

Our educators will administer medication to a child if it complies with our policy requirements and only:

• If our 'Medication Authorisation Form' is completed with the required information. This form will be sent out to families via text message upon request and can be accessed using the following link: https://airtable.com/shr53oen4ahLWI8yA 

          Any medication will also need to be:

1. In the original container/packaging.
2. Not expired.
3. Have an original label and instructions that can be clearly read and, if prescribed by a doctor be prescribed for the child who requires the medication. 
4. Administered in accordance with any instructions on the label or from the doctor. 

• After the child’s identity and the dosage of the medication is checked by an educator who is not administering the medication. This educator will witness the administration of the medication.
• Any medication administered will have two educators present, one educator to administer the medication and a second educator to witness the medication being administered. 

Please note: Woodlands will not administer the first doses of any medication. 

Due to the invasive nature of administration, Woodlands will not administer eye or ear drops, or nasal sprays.

Over The Counter Medication (non-prescription medication)

Woodlands does not administer over the counter medication unless it has been prescribed by a medical practitioner. Medication may mask the symptoms of other, more serious illnesses and our educators are not qualified, medical professionals.  However, we will administer nappy cream and sunscreen without prescription if a parent or authorised person authorises this.  All creams and over the counter medications will have their ingredients checked for the presence of nuts if found to contain any these will not be administered and kept at reception until collection.  Parents will be contacted via phone to advise of the reason for non-administration.

Administration Of Paracetamol Guidelines

Woodlands keeps a bottle of Paracetamol at the service for emergency administration only.

To safeguard against the disproportionate use of Paracetamol, and minimise the risk of concealing the fundamental reasons for high temperatures, educators will:

• Follow the temperature guidelines on our incident, illness, accident and trauma policy.
• Begin the following first Aid measures for reducing a temperature, including:
1. Removing excess clothing
2. Offering fluids
3. Encouraging the child to rest (if applicable) 
4. Provide a cool compress for the child’s forehead and back of the neck
5. Monitor the child for any additional symptoms
• Retake temperature at 15-minute intervals.
• If after first aid measures, the child’s temperature continues to climb or there is no change, parents will be notified by phone and asked to collect their child as practicable
• If a child’s temperature is over 38.6oC and/or a parent or emergency contact is unable to collect the child within 30 minutes, and the child’s temperature continues to rise, the responsible person will contact the child’s parents to confirm authorisation to administer Paracetamol, confirming the child’s weight.

Anyone delivering a child to Woodlands must not leave medication in the child’s bag or locker. Medication must be given directly to an educator on arrival for appropriate storage. Children who require auto injection devices (eg Epipens), Asthma puffers or any allergy related medications will need to be stored in their own buddy bag together with an action plan completed and signed by a medical practitioner so they are inaccessible to children. All other medication will be stored in accordance with the storage instructions on the medication in a labelled container in the storeroom or fridge. Non-refrigerated medication will be kept away from direct sources of heat.

Administration of Medication in emergencies other than Allergy, Anaphylaxis or Asthma emergencies

Ensure all medication is:

• In its original container and bears the original label with the name of the student and information on the dosage and time to be administered.
• Accompanied by written directions including advice for storage and administration.
• Within its expiry date; ensure you are giving families enough notice to purchase medication before it expires. 
• Stored according to the instructions, particularly in relation to temperature
•  

Educators will administer medication to a child in an emergency:

• If a parent or another authorised person verbally authorises the administration of the medication or
• They receive verbal authorisation from a registered medical practitioner or emergency service if the parent or authorised person cannot be contacted. 
• The child will be positively reassured, calmed, and removed to a quiet area under the direct supervision of a suitably experienced and trained educator.
• The nominated supervisor will contact the child’s parent/guardian as soon as possible.
• The nominated supervisor will ensure the service completes an Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Record.

Educators will not administer medication if parents or authorised persons provide verbal authorisation in circumstances that are not emergencies. If educators are unsure whether they should be administering medication in an emergency after receiving verbal authorisation from a parent or authorised person, educators will obtain authorisation from a registered medical practitioner or emergency service.

Administration of Medication during Allergy, Anaphylaxis or Asthma Emergencies

• Educators may administer medication to a child in an allergy, anaphylaxis or asthma emergency without authorisation. 
• The child will be positively reassured, calmed, and removed to a quiet area under the direct supervision of a suitably experienced and trained educator.
• The nominated supervisor will contact the child’s parent/guardian and the emergency services as soon as possible.
• The nominated supervisor will advise the child’s parent/guardian as soon as possible.
• The nominated supervisor will ensure the service completes an Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Record.

Medication Record

Educators will complete a Medication Record in the child’s profile on Playground which:

• Contains the authorisation to administer medication
• Details the name of the medication, the dose to be administered and how it will be administered, the time and date it was last administered, and the time and date or circumstances when it should be administered next
• If medication is administered to a child (including during an emergency), details the dosage that is administered and how it is administered, the time and date it is administered, the name and signature of the person that administered it, and the name and signature of the person that checked the child’s identity and dosage before it was administered and witnessed the administration.  

Sources

Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
National Quality Standard
Early Years Learning Framework

Review
The policy will be reviewed annually by:

• Management
• Employees
• Families 
• Interested Parties

Last Reviewed	Modifications	Next Review
November 2019 June 2023	Administration of Authorised Medication Policy was changed, after review of current policy and policies available through Centre support membership  Branding and formatting modifications Addition of non-administration of Ear and Eye drops, Administration of Paracetamol guidelines, and cream ingredients guidelines. Addition of our medication authorisation form and nappy cream/sunscreen information.	September 2020 June 2024