Allergies are a serious medical disorder that affect more than one in five persons in the United States and are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease. Roughly one in thirteen children have a food allergy, and the incidence is rising. Up to forty percent of food-allergic children may be at risk of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. Anaphylaxis may also occur due to an insect sting, drug allergy, or other causes. One in four children will have their first allergic reaction at school, and nearly one in five children with known food allergies will have a reaction at school.
The Highline Public Schools board of directors expects school administrators, teachers and support staff to be informed and aware of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and how to deal with the resulting medical emergencies. Affected students require an emergency health care plan, emergency medication, and support during the school day and during school sponsored activities. Parents/guardians are responsible for informing the school about their student's potential risk for anaphylaxis and for ensuring the provision of ongoing health information and necessary medical supplies. The district will take reasonable measures to avoid allergens for affected students. The district will also train all staff in the awareness of anaphylaxis and prepare them to respond to emergencies. Additionally, student specific training will be provided for appropriate personnel.
Even with the best efforts of the district, staff and parents/guardians need to be aware that it is not possible to achieve a completely allergen-free environment. However, the district will take precautions to reduce the risk of a student with a history of anaphylaxis coming into contact with the offending allergen in school.
Highline Public Schools board wants to be prepared to treat potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions in the event a student is experiencing a first-time anaphylactic reaction, or a student does not have their own epinephrine autoinjector device available. To optimize the safety of children with potential food allergies, our school board has adopted a policy to provide emergency epinephrine in accordance with the Washington State Emergency Epinephrine Standing Order RCW 28A.210.383. As authorized under RCW 28A.210.383, epinephrine can be given to any student or individual experiencing anaphylaxis on school property, including the school building, school bus, field trips, or sanctioned excursions away from school property.
The district will seek at least one emergency epinephrine autoinjector for each school. If the district attempts to buy or cannot find a donation to obtain emergency epinephrine autoinjectors, it is exempt from the obligation to have an emergency autoinjector at each school.
Stock epinephrine may be administered in the school setting for the following two situations:
STANDING ORDER FOR STUDENTS WITH CURRENT EPINEPHRINE PRESCRIPTION: For a student who has a prescription for epinephrine on file in the school, the care plan including the students licensed healthcare provider’s medication orders must be followed. In this situation ANY school nurse or designated school staff/Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) working within the Washington State school system may administer epinephrine using the school supply of stock epinephrine auto-injector in the event the student’s prescribed epinephrine auto-injector is not available. (The school’s supply of stock epinephrine does not negate parent/guardian responsibility to provide emergency medication. Students may be subject to exclusion if medication is not provided)
STANDING ORDER FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT A CURRENT EPINEPHRINE ORDER:
If a student does not have a prescription for epinephrine on file in the school, then only a school nurse may administer the school supply of stock epinephrine per auto-injector in the event of a previously unknown life-threatening allergic reaction. Unlicensed school staff should immediately call 911.
In every case when epinephrine is administered, emergency medical services (EMS) must be activated!
Cross References:
Student Immunizations and Life Threatening Conditions - Policy 3413
Medications at School - Policy 3416
Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications - Policy 3419
Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Policy 2162
WSSDA Cross Reference: Policy 3420
Legal References:
Anaphylaxis – Policy Guidelines – Procedures Reports - RCW 28A.210.380
Students with Asthma and Anaphylaxis - RCW 28A.210.370
Children with Life-Threatening Health Conditions – Medications and treatments orders – Rules - RCW 28A.210.320
Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: August 12, 2009
Revised by the Board: 05.12, 12.12, 8.19, 11.19, 3.25
Classification: Priority