Childcare services must respect standards, particularly concerning the administration, labelling and storage of medications.
No medication may be given to a child without the written authorization of the parent and a health care professionals authorized by law to prescribe it. In the case of prescription medication, the information recorded by the pharmacist on the label is proof of the professional's authorization.
Exceptions
- Acetaminophen (Tempra, Atasol, Tylenol or other house brand names) may be administered and insect repellent may be applied to a child without medical authorization, provided they are done in accordance with the protocol in force.
- Medical authorization is not required to administer saline nasal drops and oral hydration solutions (Pedialyte, Gastrolyte, Lytren, etc.) or to apply diaper rash cream, sunscreen cream, lubricant jelly in a single-dose pack for taking temperature, moisturizing cream, lip balm and calamine lotion to a child. However, the parent's written authorization is mandatory.
The childcare provider may offer parents to provide their child with acetaminophen, insect repellent, oral hydration solutions calamine lotion, diaper rash cream, lubricant jelly in a single-dose pack and sunscreen cream. However, saline nasal drops, moisturizing cream and lip balm may not be supplied by the home childcare provider.
Monitoring
The person who administers a medication, except for sunscreen cream, saline nasal drops, lubricant jelly, moisturizing cream and diaper rash cream, must record the information on the child's medication administration sheet.
The medication administration sheet states:
- the name of the child;
- the name of the parent;
- the name of the medication for which the parent authorizes administration;
- the date and hour of administration;
- the dose administered;
- the name and signature of the person who administered the medication.
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