“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Medication records
Element 2.1.2: Health practices and procedures
Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented.
Are your records for the administration of medication compliant? Ensure that medication records are completed in full and in accordance with the National Regulations and Service policies and procedures.
Ensure that the medication authorisation record includes:
- the full name of the child that the medication is to be administered to
- the authorisation to administer medication (including, if applicable, self-administration), signed by a parent or a person named in the child’s enrolment record as authorised to consent to administration of medication
- the name of the medication to be administered
- the date and time that the medication was last administered
- The date and time for when the medication is to be administered next or details of the circumstances in which the medication should be administered next
- the dosage of medication to be administered
- the method in which the medication is to be administered. Example: orally
When the medication is administered to the child ensure the record includes:
- the dosage of medication administered
- the method in which the medication was administered
- the date and time that the medication was administered
- the name and signature of the person administering the medication
- the name and signature of the person who witnessed the administration of the medication (excluding Family Day Care and services permitted to have only 1 staff member)
Administration of medication must be done in accordance with regulation 95 or 96:
- Staff must check that the prescribed medication is in its original container, bearing the original label with the name of the child whom the medication is to be administered to and before the expiry date
- The medication must be administered in accordance with any instructions attached to the medication or any written or verbal instructions provided by a registered medical practitioner
- A person other than the person administering the medication must check the dosage being administered and the identity of the child to whom the medication is to be administered (excluding Family Day Care and services permitted to have only 1 staff member)
- A child over preschool age may self-administer medication provided the parent or person named in the child’s enrolment record (as authorised to consent to administration of medication) has authorised for self-administration on the medication record and the Service has a policy and procedure in place for self-administration of medication.
To ensure your medical records and procedures for administration and storage of medication are compliant, it is good practice to regularly conduct a medical audit on your records.
Within System7 go to Quality Area 2/Module 9 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with ensuring compliance with medication records. These include Administration of Medication policy (LDC, FDC & OSHC) Administration of Medication Procedure, Administration of Medication Record, Medication Audit and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 2/ 2.1.2- Health practices and procedures
National Regulations –92, 93, 95 & 96
System7 Module – Quality Area 2/Module 9
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