PCC Medications at EXPLO

PCC Medications at EXPLO

Guide to Medications

EXPLO Pre-College + Career

There are three categories of medications in our medication authorization section: over-the-counter medications that may be kept in a student’s room and self-administered; prescription medications that require a Medical Authorization Form and have a plan for self-administration; and, all other prescription medications that require a Medical Authorization Form and that must be adminis- tered by the EXPLO Health Off ice.

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

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) 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 Authorization 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 keep in their room and self-administer.

All prescription medications require a Medication Authorization Form (available on the EXPLO Student Portal) and some are eligible for self-administration. For students to be allowed to self-administer prescription medications, a plan for self-administration is required for each medication. A plan for self-administration may be established using the Prescription Medication Self-Administration Form (available in CampDoc). This plan requires approval from a student’s parent/guardian and the EXPLO Health Office. Parent/Guardians and students should not assume any prescription medication is approved for self-administration until this form has been reviewed and signed by our Health Office. The EXPLO Health Office has the authority to cancel any plan for self-administration at any time before or during the Program. Should this or any change in the plan for self-administration occur, the EXPLO Health Office will be in touch with the Parent/Guardian. Prescription Medications with Approved Plan for Self-Administration

Once a prescription medication has been approved for self-administration, then students may plan to bring that medication with them to the Program and keep it in their room for self-administration.

Some common prescription medications that EXPLO’s Health Office will consider for self-administration are medications for:

allergies, blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, and birth control. Also included are antibiotics, topical ointments and creams, vitamins, and probiotics.

For the health and safety of the entire EXPLO community, there are some categories of prescription medications not considered for self-administration by the EXPLO Health Office. These categories are listed in the “All Other Prescription Medications” section below.

All Other Prescription Medications

This category covers all prescription medications which do not have an approved plan for self-administration. Such medications must be administered by the EXPLO Health Office and pre-packed ahead of the summer by our pharmacy partner, Dedham Pharmacy. All prescription medications must have a completed Medication Authorization 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. For the health and safety of the entire EXPLO community, there are some categories of prescription medications that must be administered through the EXPLO Health Office. These include psychotropic medications and controlled substances as well as most of the following:

Anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, 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 traditional 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 students who continue their medication are more successful and have a more enjoyable experience navigating moments of transition and social interaction.

Please also refrain frommaking changes to your student’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.

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