101 West Jefferson Trinity, TX 75862 936-594-3569
This is to inform you of a practice change in medication administration on all TISD campuses beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
In past years, Trinity ISD nursing staff have administered over-the-counter medication supplied by a student’s parent/guardian for less than 10 days with parent/guardian consent and have not required physician, podiatrist, or dentist authorization. The Texas Board of Nursing has given guidance to school nurses regarding this practice, and over-the-counter medications will no longer be given by licensed nursing staff WITHOUT a physician, podiatrist, or dentist authorization AND parent authorization. Trinity ISD, in partnership with our Medical Advisor Physician, has updated our standing medical delegated orders to include some over-the-counter medications for specific circumstances. If your student needs over-the-counter medications not listed on the standing medical delegated orders, nursing staff will require a physician, podiatrist, or dentist authorization in order to administer the medication in accordance with the Texas Board of Nursing licensing standards.
Student Health Services and Nursing Staff understand this is a shift in previous practice, and we will continue to support our students health and learning needs while at school while incorporating this practice standard. The most up to date medication forms and standing medical delegated orders are linked at this site: www.trinityisd.net under Nurse tab.
Should you have any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Luchak, RN, Trinity ISD District Nurse, at the contact information below. 936-594-3567 x 2090 or [email protected]
Medication Administration
Medication may be administered by designated Trinity ISD personnel in compliance with the procedures outlined below. All medication dispensed in the clinic must have a signed physician/health care provider order, including over-the-counter medication. The Nursing Practice Act dictates which licensed medical professionals a registered nurse may carry out medication orders from. At this time, licensed chiropractors are not included, therefore, their orders will not be accepted.
Only medications that are necessary for a student’s medical care will be administered at school. Most medicines that are needed, even up to three times a day, can be given at home and should not be sent to school. There are some occasions where medication is required for students and cannot be adequately given at home. In these cases, with a written request from a parent or guardian and physician authorization, school personnel can give the medication. The following procedure is used for medication administration by school personnel.
Please note: ALL medications require a physician’s authorization annually. This includes over-the counter and prescription medications.
NURSE PRACTICE ACT (NPA 301.002(2)(C))
In this chapter:
(1) “Board” means the Texas Board of Nursing.
(1-a) “Chief nursing officer” means the registered nurse who is administratively responsible for the nursing services at a facility.
(1-b) “Patient safety committee” has the meaning assigned by Section 303.001. (2) “Professional nursing” means the performance of an act that requires substantial specialized judgment and skill, the proper performance of which is based on knowledge and application of the principles of biological, physical, and social science as acquired by a completed course in an approved school of professional nursing. The term does not include acts of medical diagnosis or the prescription of therapeutic or corrective measures. Professional nursing involves:
(A) the observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care and counsel, or health teachings of a person who is ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a change in normal health processes;
(B) the maintenance of health or prevention of illness;
(C) the administration of a medication or treatment as ordered by a physician, podiatrist, or dentist;
Thank you,
Dr. John Kaufman, Superintendent
Medication Forms for Trinity ISD can be found at: