Clinic Hours: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Clinic Phone Number: (864) 594-4477

The Mary Wright Elementary Health Room is designed to treat minor injuries and illnesses. Should a student become ill, only persons designated on the Health Information /Emergency Release Card will be contacted to pick up the student. All telephone numbers must be recorded on the Health Information/Emergency Release Card and updated immediately if changes occur during the school year.

In order to protect the safety of both the student receiving the medication and other students in the building, district medication guidelines have been established. These guidelines are consistent with state law and are specifically designed to prevent any mishaps.

Medication includes both prescription and non-prescription medications and includes those taken by mouth, taken by inhaler, those which are injectable, applied as drops to the eye or nose or applied to the skin. Prescription medications cannot be given at school without:

Writtten health care practitioner’s order, which includes:

• Student’s name

• Name of Medication

• Dosage

• Time(s) to administer medicine

• Route to administration

• Reason for medication

• Side effects that would require notification of the health care practitioner

• Written parent/ guardian consent

• A current pharmacy-labeled container

Medication administered by school nurse will be given under the following guidelines:

General Guidelines

• Parents of students with special needs such as diabetes, catheterizations, tube feedings, severe allergies, asthma, etc., are responsible for making an appointment with the school nurse within the first 5 days of school. Parents are also responsible for keeping her informed of changes during the course of the year, and for providing all necessary supplies for the student. “Necessary supplies” may include: snacks, glucose tablets, ketone strips, catheters, disposable briefs, tube feeding supplies, Epi-pens, etc. These will be determined when you meet with the nurse.

• All medications are kept in a secure area in the nurse’s office. Only the school nurse or principal’s designees will be assisting students with medication.

• The school will not send home any medication with a student. Medications will only be released to the student’s parent or, to an individual at least eighteen (18) years old who has been designated. Nurse will dispose of any medication not picked up by the end of the school year.

Non-prescription (OTC) Medications

Non-Prescription (OTC) Medications can be dispensed by the school nurse or principal’s designee if written permission is granted by the parents or legal guardian. These must be sent in the original container labeled with the child’s name. No medication can be given to the student unless it is brought from home with permission. Manufacturers’ recommended dosages will be given unless a health care practitioner approves another dose in writing.

Prescription Medications

• Prescription Medications can be dispensed by the school nurse or principal’s designee if written permission is granted by the parents or legal guardian and we have a health care practitioner’s order. Medications prescribed for an individual child shall be kept in the original container bearing the original pharmacy label with a current date. Pharmacies can provide 2 labeled bottles, one for school and one for home.

• If a medication is prescribed to be taken once or twice a day, give these medicines at home.
  When medication is prescribed by the physician to be taken three times a day, (such as antibiotics), it should be given at home in the morning, after school, and in the evening. This is an acceptable method of medication administration unless otherwise specifically ordered by the physician.

• If the medication is prescribed to be taken four or more times a day, the nurse will be glad to accommodate you, but the above guidelines must be followed. If your child goes on a field trip that is longer than the normal school day (24 hours or longer) the parent is responsible for providing medication in a labeled bottle with instructions for the person assisting with the medications.
  Emergency Medications (e.g., INHALERS, EPI-PENS)

• Students who require the immediate availability of medication may be allowed to keep it with them rather than in the health room only in accordance with the guidelines for self-medicating. All parents/guardians of students carrying such medications assume responsibility for assuring that the carried medication is in a pharmacy labeled container, and is neither out-dated nor empty.

Injectable Medications

Injectable Medications (such insulin or Epi-pens) may be self-administered, or may be administered by the school nurse. If the student has an emergency medication (such as glucagon) to be administered by injection and cannot personally inject it, EMS will be called to the scene if the nurse is not present School personnel will not be expected to administer injections not supplied in auto-pen form if the nurse is not available.