Medications at EXPLO

Medications at EXPLO

Guide to Medications

EXPLO Junior + EXPLO Senior

We take the safety of your children seriously, and we know that you do too. However responsible (or not!) your child might feel about taking their medication, for this age group, state regulations mandate that medications be directly distributed by a healthcare professional – this includes prescriptions, vitamins, supplements, and over-the- counter medicatons. Our Health Off ice is staffed 24/7 with Registered Nurses who are available for a range of triage services, including the administration of medications throughout the day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime.

Please read through the full guide below. As with most policy-based requirements, there are a number of caveats that may apply to you. Your program registrar will be able to assist with any questions.

Medication Confirmation Forms (MCFs)

A Medication Confirmation Form (MCF) is required for all medications. Forms must be signed by the prescribing medical practitioner, even for daily over-the-counter medications. Please talk with your doctor about medications that you anticipate your child needing while at EXPLO. This includes daily and as-needed over-the-counter (OTC) medications, emergency medications to be carried with your child at all times (e.g. Epi-Pens and inhalers), injections (e.g. growth hormone and insulin), prescription creams and sprays, vitamins, herbal supplements, and non-pill medications. MCFs are required for all students. Day students bringing medication onto campus for use in an emergency must have the appropriate form on file for each medication. It is important to include everything you anticipate as early as possible to prevent an interruption to your child’s medication schedule.

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 occasional (not daily) medication that is not listed above, you will need a signed MCF from your physician for it, and you will need to supply the health office with an adequate as-needed quantity for the duration of the program. A common example is Zyrtec, which EXPLO does not stock.

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 success- ful and have a more enjoyable experience navigating moments of transition and social interaction.

Please also refrain frommaking 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.

Medication Packaging

For Domestic Residential Students , all daily pill-formmedications must be filled and blister-packaged through Dedham Pharmacy. This includes prescriptions, vitamins, supplements, and daily OTC medication. It is mandatory to fill prescriptions through our partner pharmacy in order to ensure safe and efficient distribution of those medications. We cannot accept pill-formmedication, vitamins, supplements, or OTC medication at registration unless the pharmacy is unable to fill the prescription and has granted you prior approval. Dedham Pharmacy does not charge a registration or packaging fee, but there is a late fee per medication for families contacting the pharmacy after their filling period has ended (see following page), so please begin working with them as soon as you are able, even if you suspect future med- ication adjustments. You will be responsible for sharing your insurance and billing information with Dedham Pharmacy, and covering co-pays as you normally would. Within the limits of your health insurance, Dedham Pharmacy will assist you with securing a vacation override or medication hold to keep your costs consistent with what you typically pay. International Students and Day Students are exempt from packaging requirements and should instead supply the nurses with the appropriate quantity of medication in its original packaging . If the packaging is not written in English, a supplemental explanation of the medication and administration schedule must be provided by that child’s physician. The nurses must also have the appropriate MCF on file, signed by the parent/guardian and physician.

Getting Started With Dedham Pharmacy

As soon as you enter medication information into CampDoc, Dedham Pharmacy will be notified and reach out to coordinate the filling of those prescriptions. If you would like to speak with our pharmacy partner in advance, they can be contacted by phone (781.326.7007) or email ([email protected]).

All prescriptions and payment information must be given to the pharmacy by the following dates:

Session 1 Programs: June 1, 2022 Session 2 Programs: June 15, 2022 Session 3 Programs: July 1, 2022

There will be a $30 late fee assessed per medication for any medications submitted after that date.

To help expedite the processing of prescription medication, please have your licensed prescriber send prescriptions directly to Dedham Pharmacy. Ask your physician to include DEA and/or NPI numbers on all prescriptions:

Dedham Pharmacy 596 Providence Hwy Dedham, MA 02026 Phone: 781.326.7007 Fax: 781.326.7006 Email: [email protected]

Letter to Physicians

Dear Health Care Provider,

Your patient is attending a summer camp that employs a Medication Therapy Management System. All medication in pill form will be dispensed in dose packaging. The packages are labeled with the name of the camper, name of medication, date, dose, administration time, etc. The pre-packaged medication will be sent directly from our pharmacy to the camp.

Please note the following prescription guidelines:

• Please write a prescription for all medications including OTCs, vitamins, and supplements (30 day supply with enough refills to cover the entire camp stay). Confer with the family for duration of camp stay, as it varies.

• Controlled substance (Schedule II): Do not post-date the prescription – the body of the prescription must provide written acknowledgment that indicated the earliest date that the pharmacy may fill.

You may submit the prescriptions for your patient using one of the following methods:

E-Prescribing: Dedham Pharmacy & Medical Supply NPI: 1801253489 E-Script Number: 73904 Mail: Dedham Pharmacy & Medical Supply Attn: Pharmacist 596 Providence Highway Dedham, MA 02026

Fax (not for CIIs): 781-326-7006

Phone (only for non-controls or questions): 781-326-7007 Questions – Ask for one of our Pharmacists: Carolyn, Leanne, or Julia

Thank you for your help in making this process run smoothly!

Sincerely,

Carolyn (Pharmacist Coordinator), Leanne, and Julia Dedham Pharmacy EXPLO Medication Team