T’bonne schools adjust medicine policy

Terrebonne Parish school nurses have finished the first round of H1N1 vaccinations. A second round of immunizations will be administered to children under the age of 9 starting Feb. 8. About 25 schools are included in the second round, said Cindy Spence, nursing coordinator for Terrebonne Parish schools.

While some facilities have struggled to maintain an adequate amount of the vaccine, Spence said it hasn’t been a problem for the district. Nearly 3,500 immunizations have already been administered throughout Terrebonne and about 1,600 more are expected, explained the coordinator. “We’ve already ordered the second round.”

With the battle against H1N1 in full swing, local schools are beginning to dial in to the needs of students, especially those who have to take medicine while in school.

Officials said between 500 and 600 students take medication throughout Terrebonne Parish schools. However, that number can vary from year to year.

The Terrebonne Parish School Board approved a revised policy for the administration of medication just before the New Year.

Spence said there’s not much difference between the revised policy and the old one.

However, the new policy will allow students with chronic illnesses like asthma to carry and self-administer medicine while at school.

“The policy changes really haven’t affected us that much. The nurses do their assessments and determine when it’s safe and appropriate for the child to carry their medication,” explained Spence.

Students will only be allowed to transport certain medicines, while parents will be required to transport the rest. In light of students’ safety, child welfare and attendance supervisor for Terrebonne Parish Linda Joseph, said “…parents support [the policy].”

But not all students who need self-administered medicines will be allowed to carry them, especially younger ones.

“You have to be concerned about their maturity and ability to understand what they need and proper [dosage].”

Those students, she said, would also be required to self-administer in school offices under the supervision of someone trained in medication administration.

Depending on the size of the school, between four and 20 people are trained in medication administration.

The state requires a 6.5-hour training program detailing medicine law and how it is applied in schools throughout the parish. “In that [training] we also give general information and knowledge on the different illnesses that require medication. Like asthma, diabetes and allergies,” said Spence.

After completing the program, individuals must be supervised by a nurse “at least three times” administering the medication, “to make sure they are doing it correctly and are following all the safety steps,” she added. “Once checked off as capable, [those individuals] will be allowed to administer medication to the students.”

Secretaries, health aides, principals and teachers are among the many trained during regular school hours. Therefore, no additional costs are incurred since they’re already on the clock.

Both Joseph and Spence agreed the revised policy is something schools have already been abiding by. “For the 10 years I’ve been here, we’ve done this,” commented Spence.

Allowing students to take medicine at school also has added benefits. “Students don’t have to stay at home because they’re ill. We can [administer] certain medications at school [allowing them to attend],” said Joseph. “They no longer have to be absent because of long-term medical conditions.”

The policy also ensures that students are not passing their medications onto others. “[The policy] is protecting other students from getting their hands on something they shouldn’t,” noted Spence.

Joseph also said that “[schools] have not had an issue” with illicit prescription drug use.

Jennifer Hartman (at left) and Joann LeBoeuf, general health school nurses for Terrebonne Parish, prepare H1N1 vaccines for the second round of immunizations set to take place Feb. 8th. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS