Admissions » Medical Policy
Medical Policy
Parents are responsible for honestly and accurately completing the medical history section in our application and for obtaining a physical examination for their child prior to enrollment. Your family physician must report his or her findings on the medical examination form in the application.
If your child's medical history or examination reveals conditions that may represent a risk to your child or to other participants, we will make a recommendation as to admission and any conditions for participation. Oftentimes we will work with a consulting physician to arrive at the appropriate decision.
We will need to request additional laboratory testing and seek enrollment approval by our medial consultant if your child has:
- Used intravenous drugs in the past five years
- Been sexually active and may be pregnant
- Recently been exposed to an infectious disease
If your child has any history suggestive of cardiac disorder, we will request an extended cardiological examination by your family physician, or preferably, by a cardiologist.
Medication Management
If your child is in need of medications of any kind, the following guidelines are adhered to:
- A written order signed by a physician is required before any medication can be given.
- Medications prescribed are only used for the child to whom the prescription was written.
- Catherine Freer staff will retain physical possession of the medication supply and will supervise a participant's use of prescription medications.
- It is not possible to keep prescription medications in a locked, stationary container; they will be kept by a staff member in his/her backpack or on his/her person for safekeeping. With the exception of winter months, it is not possible to refrigerate medications. Applicants taking refrigerated medications must find a medically acceptable substitute not requiring refrigeration or attend another program that has refrigeration available.
- Individual records will be kept for any prescription drugs taken by residents, including the prescribing physician's name, a description of the medication and dosage, method of administration, verification in writing by treatment staff that the medication was taken and the times and dates given, and any adverse reactions to the medication.
- At the end of each expedition, staff will return all medications to the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the participant. In the case of any medication with potential for abuse, staff will count the medication; tally the records of use during the expedition and make sure all the medication is accounted for; seal the medication before sending it home; and inform the parent or guardian as to the quantities used.
- Expedition staff carries a stock supply of prescription medications that can be used for the treatment of anaphylaxis, infections, allergies, severe pain, or other wilderness medical conditions.
Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs requires that all expedition staff be trained at least in basic first aid methods and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and on each expedition, we have at least one staff member trained in more advanced wilderness medicine skills.