2020 EXPLO Chicago | Guide to Medications

2020 EXPLO Chicago | Guide to Medications

EXPLO Chicago GUIDE TO MEDICATIONS

There are two categories of medication to our medication authorizations section: medication that may be kept in students’ rooms and self-administered, and medication that requires a Medication Confirmation Form and must be administered by our Health Office nurses.

We will ask for a detailed list of all medications, including self-administered medications, in your CampDoc record.

Medications That Do Not Require A Medication Confirmation Form Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and some prescription medications may be kept in the student’s room and self-administered. You are not required to send your child with OTC medications, as our Health Office is stocked and you may give permission via CampDoc for your child to go to the Health Office to receive those on an as-needed basis.

The following medications are available for occasional administration by our staff nurses, and you do not need a Medication Confirmation Form from your physician for these.

Acetaminophen, Ibuprophen, Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride, Fexofenadine, Loratadine, Loperamide, Kaopectate, Calcium Carbonate, Dimenhydrinate, and Dextromethorphan.

If your child takes an OTC medication that is not listed above, you may send it with your child to self-administer.

Some common prescription medications that may be self-administeded and do not require authorization from your physician include medications for: allergies, blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, and birth control. Also included are antibiotics, topical ointments and creams, vitamins, and probiotics. Medications That Require a Medication Confirmation Form This category covers certain prescription medications, including psychotropic medications and controlled substances. Such medications must be administered by the EXPLO Health Office. In order to ensure the well-being of our students, certain classes of medications must be administered by our Health Office staff. Medications administered by our Health Office must have a completed Medication Confirmation Form with the details of the medication signed by a physician and also by the parent/guardian. You may generate this form and print out a copy for your doctor in the CampDoc record. Additionally, for the safety of our students and the entire EXPLO community, certain types of medications may not be kept in dorm rooms in large quantities. Psychotropic medications and prescription medications classified as controlled substances (Schedules II-V) may only be kept with students in limited quantities and under certain circumstances. For example, EXPLO nurses may determine that a student may keep up to three doses in their room at a time, but must go to the Health Office to replenish the medication and check in with the nurses.

The following are categories of prescription medications which must be administered by our Health Office:

Anti-anxiety agents, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, muscle relaxants, SSRIs, stimulants, and prescription pain medication.

Regarding Medication Vacations And Changes If your child currently takes regular medications for any behavioral or emotional reasons, they should continue to do so while at the Program. Although EXPLO is an engaging environment without the pressure of homework and tests, it is still a place where children interact socially and are required to maintain focus and be alert, cooperative, and task-oriented throughout the day. Our experience has taught us that those children who continue their medication are more successful and have a more enjoyable experience navigating moments of transition and social interaction.

Please also refrain from making changes to your child’s behavioral or emotional medication just prior to the Program. EXPLO is not the proper environment for adjusting to a new medication or to a new dose of medication.