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AIM
Carers will facilitate effective care and health management of children who are taking medications by the safe administration of medication and compliance with the Regulation.
RATIONALE
To facilitate effective care and health management of children who are taking medication for a health problem, prevention or management of acute episodes of illness or medical emergencies requiring administration of medication.
STRATEGIES
The Carer must:
Ensure medication is only administered to a child enrolled in the service with the written permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Ensure a Medication Authority Form is completed and signed for every child and for each medication.
Keep the Medical Authority Form in a secure and confidential file, health records are required to be kept for a minimum of 6 years or in the case of a child until the child turns 24 years old.
Ensure the medication is administered to a child only from its original packaging. Prescribed medications must only be administered to the child for whom it has been prescribed, from a container bearing a pharmacy label showing the child’s name, and a current use by date, in accordance with any doctor’s instructions relating to the prescribed dosage and administration.
Ensure families provide a summary of the child’s health, medications allergies to medication or other substances, the doctor’s name, address and phone number and a First Aid Management Plan approved by their doctor if relevant, following enrolment and prior to the child starting in the service.
If a carer has any doubt about the safety of administering any medication or treatment, the carer should not administer the medication or treatment and refer the matter to the Scheme Co-ordinator and seek advice from the parent, doctor or the local Public Health Unit.
Before administering medication, check that the instructions on the Medication Authority Form are consistent with both the doctor’s instructions and the name and instructions on the label. If there is any doubt or inconsistency, the carer or Scheme Co-ordinator should check with the doctor or pharmacist and advise the parent if it is considered the medication should not be administered.
Advise parents and families that the administration of homeopathic naturopathic, over-the-counter or non-prescribed medications (including cold preparations and paracetamol) also need to meet minimum legislative requirements and these guidelines include providing a Medication Authority form, written instructions and a dosage from a health professional prescribing or dispensing the medication. Do not give any unidentifiable medicine, or medicine that doesn’t meet the above guidelines.
In the case of medication being required in an emergency without prior consent, ensure every attempt is made to secure consent from the child’s parent or legal guardian, or from a registered medical practitioner. In any emergency, if there is no immediate access to a parent, nominated responsible person, doctor, dentist or hospital call the ambulance service on 000.
Ensure families and carers understand and acknowledge each other’s responsibilities under the relevant legislation, the Scheme’s policy and guidelines.
Advise parents who leave medication to be administered without meeting the conditions of the relevant legislation and these guidelines that the medications will not be administered, and medication prescribed for one child will not be administered to a sibling or another child.
Be informed of any child enrolled who has a chronic health problem such as;
Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Severe allergy, Food allergy or Anaphylaxis,
or
Requires ongoing medication,
or
Might require emergency medication, treatment or first aid.
Ensure that an individual Health Management Plan is completed for a child with a chronic health problem and that a copy is kept in that child’s file.
Ensure medication is securely stored in a locked cupboard away from access by children. Medication that requires refrigeration (eg eye drops, antibiotics, syrups) should be stored at the back of the top shelf, in a separate compartment or in a childproof container.
REQUIREMENTS OF REGULATIONS AND OTHER STANDARDS
NSW Children’s Services Regulation 2004
National Childcare Accreditation Council Quality Practices Guide 2nd edition 2004 Family Day Care Quality Assurance,
Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1996 (NSW)
Public Health Act 1991 (NSW)
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Regulations 2001 (NSW)
Staying Healthy in Child Care, NHMRC 2001
www.health.gov.au/nhmrc/
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