Virginia Law

A. The decision to administer medicines at a facility may be limited by center policy to administer:

1. Prescribed medications;

2. Over-the-counter or nonprescription medications; or

3. No medications except those required for emergencies or by law.

B. Prescription and nonprescription medication shall be given to a child:

1. According to the center's written medication policies; and

2. Only with written authorization from the parent.

C. Medication shall be administered by a staff member who is 18 years of age or older.

D. Nonprescription medication shall be administered by a staff member or independent contractor who meets the requirements in 8VAC20-780-245 J 1 or J 2.

E. The center's procedures for administering medication shall:

1. Include any general restrictions of the center.

2. For nonprescription medication, be consistent with the manufacturer's instructions for age, duration, and dosage.

3. Include duration of the parent's authorization for medication, provided that it shall expire or be renewed after 10 work days. Long-term prescription drug use and over-the-counter medication may be allowed with written authorization from the child's physician and parent.

4. Include methods to prevent use of outdated medication.

F. The medication authorization shall be available to staff during the entire time it is effective.

G. Medication shall be labeled with the child's name, the name of the medication, the dosage amount, and the time or times to be given.

H. Nonprescription medication shall be in the original container with the direction label attached.

I. The center may administer prescription medication that would normally be administered by a parent or guardian to a child provided:

1. The medication is administered by a staff member or an independent contractor who meets the requirements in 8VAC20-780-245 J;

2. The center has obtained written authorization from a parent or guardian;

3. The center administers only those drugs that were dispensed from a pharmacy and maintained in the original, labeled container; and

4. The center administers drugs only to the child identified on the prescription label in accordance with the prescriber's instructions pertaining to dosage, frequency, and manner of administration.

J. When needed, medication shall be refrigerated.

K. When medication is stored in a refrigerator used for food, the medications shall be stored together in a container or in a clearly defined area away from food.

L. Medication, except for those prescriptions designated otherwise by written physician's order, including refrigerated medication and staff's personal medication, shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

M. If a key is used, the key shall not be accessible to the children.

N. Centers shall keep a record of medication given children, which shall include the following:

1. Child to whom medication was administered;

2. Amount and type of medication administered to the child;

3. The day and time the medication was administered to the child;

4. Staff member administering the medication;

5. Any adverse reactions; and

6. Any medication error.

O. Staff shall inform parents immediately of any adverse reactions to medication administered and any medication error.

P. When an authorization for medication expires, the parent shall be notified that the medication needs to be picked up within 14 days or the parent must renew the authorization. Medications that are not picked up by the parent within 14 days will be disposed of by the center by either dissolving the medication down the sink or flushing it down the toilet.