Medication Management at Camp

What is a medication? What about OTCs, vitamins or supplements?

Camps need to establish clear definitions for what constitutes a medication. This includes prescriptions, OTC medications, vitamins, and supplements, all of which should be stored and administered with equal care. For all medications, camps must follow the directions of a licensed prescriber, ensuring safe and effective administration.

Do I need a prescriber order to administer any medication at camp?

Every medication administered at camp must have an order from a licensed prescriber. This applies to all types of medications, including OTCs and vitamins. Orders can be obtained from a camper’s healthcare provider, through standing orders, or from an on-call licensed prescriber at the camp. Camp staff should not rely on directives from parents or guardians for medication administration.

How should camper and staff medications be stored?

According to the American Camp Association’s Health and Wellness standards, all medications must be stored in their original containers and kept under lock, except when being administered. This applies to both camper and staff medications. Secure storage is vital to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the safety of all individuals at camp.

Do I need a licensed healthcare professional to dispense medications?

Medication administration is one of the highest risk areas at camp. Ensuring the “five rights” of medication administration—right patient, right drug, right dose, right time, and right route—is crucial. Camps should operate under the guidance of a licensed healthcare prescriber and may train staff as Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) to support medication administration under the camp nurse’s supervision.

What do I need to document after I give a medication?

Using an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) can significantly improve medication management at camp. Here are some key benefits:

• Accurate Documentation: eMAR helps document who gave the medication, and the day and time it was administered, creating a permanent, secure health record.
• Reduced Errors: By avoiding handwritten instructions and manual record-keeping, eMAR reduces the risk of medication errors.
• Improved Access: Staff can easily access medication administration history, ensuring continuity of care and better health outcomes for campers.
• Efficiency: Streamlines the medication administration process, saving time and reducing administrative burden on camp staff.

Are the rules different for controlled substance medications or emergency medications at camp?

For controlled substances, camps must maintain meticulous records, keeping a running count of these medications. Emergency medications, such as epinephrine auto-injectors or albuterol inhalers, should be readily available and not stored under lock. Additionally, some camps may choose to have naloxone (Narcan) on hand for potential narcotic overdoses, ensuring staff are trained in its use.

Can I repackage medications at camp?

Camps often consider repackaging medications for efficiency or for camp trips. Check local laws as some states have restrictions on repackaging. If repackaging, ensure the 5 rights: right name, right drug, right dose, right time, right route. Ideally, the person repackaging should also administer the medication. For offsite trips, ensure that staff are trained on medication administration when acting as a UAP. Medications from a pharmacy in blister packs or unit-dose packs are considered original containers.

Effective medication management is vital for the health and safety of campers and staff. By adopting an eMAR system, camps can enhance their medication administration processes, reduce errors, and ensure accurate documentation. This not only improves the efficiency of health management at camp but also provides peace of mind to parents and guardians, knowing their children are in safe hands.

Implementing an eMAR system like CampDoc can transform how camps handle medications, ultimately contributing to a safer, healthier camp environment for everyone.

Interested in learning more about how camps are improving medication administration at their camp? Connect with the CampDoc team today!