Administration Of Medication And Storage

Purpose
These guidelines will provide clear instructions to administer medication to a child if it is authorised or the child is experiencing an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency. And to recognise it is essential to follow strict procedures for the administration of medication to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of each child using the service.

Scope
These guidelines will apply to the Approved provider, nominated supervisor, supervisors, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents/guardians, children and others attending the service.

Objectives
To ensure the children who are in need of medication are administered medication with an authorisation or experiencing an Asthma or Anaphylaxis emergency and the medication is stored in place where children have no access.

Policy
At FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES, we ensure that our educators will only administer medication to children if it is authorised by parents (or by someone authorised by parents on the enrolment record to make decisions about the administration of medication). If there is a medical emergency, we will also administer medication when authorised verbally by a parent/guardian followed by a written text message to authorise, medical practitioner or an emergency service, however we may administer medication during an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency without first receiving authorisation.

Procedures
Administration of Medication (non-emergency)
Educators will administer medication to a child:

  1. If the medication is authorised in writing by a parent or another authorised person and
    • is in the original container
    • has not expired
    • has an original label and instructions that can be clearly read and, if prescribed by a doctor has the child’s name
    • is administered in accordance with any instructions on the label or from the doctor.
  2. After the child’s identity and the dosage of the medication is checked by fdc educator will administer the medication.

Anyone delivering a child to the service must not leave medication in the child’s bag or locker. Medication must be given directly to the educator on arrival for appropriate storage.

Administration of Medication in emergencies other than anaphylaxis or asthma emergencies

  • Educators will administer medication to a child in an emergency:
    1. if a parent or another authorised person gives a written authorisation by sending a text message or email to administer medication.
    2. 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 educator will contact the child’s parent, and provide written notice to the parent, as soon as possible.
  • The educator will complete an Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record.
  • Educators will not administer medication if parents provide verbal authorisation but they will administer medication if the parent/guardian sends a text message or an e-mail

Administration of Medication during Anaphylaxis or Asthma Emergencies

  • Educators may administer medication to a child in an anaphylaxis or asthma emergency without authorisation.
  • The child will be positively reassured, calmed and removed to a quiet area under the direct supervision of the educator.
  • The educator will contact the child’s parent and the emergency services as soon as possible.
  • The educator will advise the child’s parent in writing as soon as possible.
  • The educator will complete an Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Record.

Medication Record
Educators will complete a Medication Record with the name of the child which:

  • contains the authorisation to administer medication or for the child to self-administer the 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 educator that administered it.
  • We will use the Medication Record template published by the national authority ACECQA currently at https://www.acecqa.gov.au/
  • If required, we will adapt this Medication Record template to record the self-administration of medication for authorised children over pre-school age (e.g. in the “name and signature of educator administering medication” columns put N/A for not applicable).

Related Policies

  • ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AND STORAGE
  • FIRST AID QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • FIRST AID KIT REQUIREMENTS
  • INCIDENT, INJURY, TRAUMA AND ILLNESS
  • INFECTIOUS DISEASES, CONFIDENTIALITY, IMMUNISATION, ILLNESS AND HEAD LICE
  • INFECTIOUS DISEASE
  • CONFIDENTIALITY
  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS
  • ANAPHYLAXIS AND ALLERGIES
  • ASTHMA
  • DIABETES
  • EPILEPSY
  • CODE OF CONDUCT
  • RECRUITMENT OF FAMILY DAY CARE EDUCATOR, SELECTION, ORIENTATION

National Quality Frameworks

Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010

Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011

National Quality

Standards

National Quality Standard Elements

161-175

92-94, 96, 99, 102, 160-161,

168, 172

2.1, 2.3

2.1.1,2.1.4

2.3.1,2.32,2.3.4

7.1

7.1.2

Related legislations

  • Children’s Health and Wellbeing Act 2009
  • Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
  • Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
  • Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
  • Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2001
  • Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
  • Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2009

Related resources

Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
National Quality Standard
Early Years Learning Framework

REVIEW

POLICY REVIEWED

July 2019

NEXT REVIEW DATE

July 2020

MODIFICATIONS

Policy created for First Idea Family Day Care Services, inclusive of changes to the National Quality Standards and Education and Care National Regulations

Get In Touch