Procedure No. 3418P

 

Anaphylaxis Prevention

For students with a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy, the district will take appropriate steps for the student’s safety, including implementing a nursing care plan.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility

Prior to enrolling a student, the parent/guardian will inform the school in writing of the medically diagnosed allergy(ies) and risk of anaphylaxis. Upon receiving the diagnosis, school staff will contact the parent/guardian to develop a nursing care plan. A nursing care plan should be developed for each student with a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy.

Nursing Care Plan

The written plan will identify the student’s allergies, symptoms of exposure, practical strategies to minimize the risks and how to respond in an emergency.

The principal or designee (school nurse) may arrange a meeting (or telephone call) with the parent/guardian prior to the first day of attendance to develop and discuss the nursing care plan. The plan will be developed by the parent, school nurse and appropriate school staff. If the treatment plan includes self-administration of medications, the parents, students and staff will comply with model policy and procedure 3419 - Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication.

Annually and prior to the first day of attendance, the student health file will contain: 1) a completed nursing care plan; 2) a written description of the treatment order, signed by a licensed health care provider; and 3) an adequate and current supply of auto-injectors (or other medications). The school will also recommend to the parents that a medical alert bracelet be worn by the student at all times. The parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school if the student’s condition changes and for providing the medical treatment order, the auto-injectors and medications.

Students who have a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy and no medication or treatment order presented to the school, shall be excluded from school to the extent that the district can do so consistent with federal requirements for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and pursuant to the following due process requirements:

A. Written notice to the parents, guardians or persons in loco parentis is delivered in person or by certified mail.

B. Notice of the applicable laws, including a copy of the laws and rules.

C. The order that the student shall be excluded from school immediately and until medications or a treatment order is presented.

Communications Plan and Responsibility of School Staff

After the nursing care plan is developed, the school principal or a designee will inform appropriate staff regarding the affected student. The school nurse (R.N.) will train appropriate staff regarding the affected student and the nursing care plan. The plan will be distributed to appropriate staff and placed in appropriate locations in the district (class room, office, school bus, lunchroom etc.).With the permission of parents/guardian and the student, (if appropriate), other students and parents may be given information about the student’s condition.

In-service Training

Annually, each school principal will provide an in-service training on how to minimize exposure and how to respond to an anaphylaxis emergency. The training will include a review of avoidance strategies, recognition of symptoms, the emergency protocols to deal with an anaphylaxis episode and use of an auto injector.

Student specific training and additional information will be provided (by the school nurse) to teachers, teacher’s assistants, clerical staff, food service workers and bus drivers who will have known contact with a diagnosed student.

Controlling the Exposure to Allergens

Controlling the exposure to allergens requires the cooperation of parents, students, the health care community, school employees and the board. The district will inform parents of the presence of a student with life threatening allergies in their child’s classroom and/or school and the measures being taken to protect the affected student. Parents will be asked to cooperate and avoid including the allergen in school lunches and snacks or other products. The district will discourage the sharing of food, utensils and containers. The district will take other precautions such as avoiding the use of party balloons or contact with latex gloves. Additionally, play areas will be specified that are lowest risk for the affected student.

The district will also identify high-risk events and areas for students with life-threatening allergies, such as foods and beverages brought to school for seasonal events, school equipment and curricular materials used by large numbers of students (play-dough, stuffed toys, science projects, etc.)

During school-sponsored activities, appropriate supervisors, staff and parents will be made aware of the identity of the student with life-threatening allergies, the allergens, symptoms and treatment. The lead teacher will ensure that the auto-injector is brought on field trips.

 

Adopted:  February 22, 2010