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Medication administration practices of school nurses
A M McCarthy1, M W Kelly, D Reed
1College of Nursing NB430, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA. ann-mccarthy@uiowa.edu
The Journal of School Health
|December 29, 2000
Summary
School nurses reported that 5.6% of students receive medication daily, with many encountering challenges in medication management and delegation. Errors in medication administration, particularly missed doses, were common, often linked to the use of unlicensed assistive personnel.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Medication Administration Safety
- School Health Services
Background:
- Medication administration in schools is a critical aspect of student health and safety.
- School nurses play a vital role in managing student medications, including those for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Understanding current medication administration practices and identifying potential risks is essential for improving student care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current medication administration practices of school nurses.
- To identify challenges and potential problems in medication management within school settings.
- To examine the extent and implications of delegating medication administration to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Main Methods:
- A survey was developed and administered to a random sample of 1,000 members of the National Association of School Nurses.
- Data were collected from 649 (64.9%) participating school nurses regarding daily medication administration.
- Statistical analysis was used to identify medication administration errors and contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Approximately 5.6% of students receive medication during a typical school day, with 3.3% receiving ADHD medications.
- While most nurses follow written guidelines, issues persist in documenting side effects, medication storage, student self-administration, and nonprescription drug authorization.
- Nearly 76% of nurses delegate medication administration to UAP, leading to discomfort and legal confusion; 48.5% of nurses reported medication errors, most commonly missed doses.
Conclusions:
- School nurses face significant challenges in medication administration, including delegation issues and errors.
- The use of UAP in medication administration is associated with increased errors and requires further investigation.
- Clearer guidelines and education are needed to address medication administration practices, delegation, and legal aspects in schools.