Policy: 3420

Section: 3000 - Students

Title: Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response

Status: Active

Adopted: January 28, 2014

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Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response 

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that may involve systems of the entire body.  Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment and follow-up care by a licensed health care provider.

The Ferndale 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.   For students, some common life threatening allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, dairy, egg, wheat, soy bee or other insect venom,. Affected students require planned care and support during the school day and during school sponsored activities. Additionally, any student could potentially have a life-threatening allergic reaction even without a history of such.

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 district’s best efforts, 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 encountering the offending allergen in school.

The district will maintain at designated school locations a supply of epinephrine autoinjectors based on the distributor availability. The school’s supply of stock epinephrine does not negate parent/guardian responsibility to provide emergency medication..  Undesignated epinephrine autoinjectors must be obtained with a prescription in the name of the school by a licensed health professional within the scope of their prescribing authority and must be accompanied by a standing order protocol for their administration.

In the event a student with a current prescription for an epinephrine autoinjector on file at the school experiences an anaphylactic event, the school nurse or designated trained school personnel may use the school supply of epinephrine autoinjectors to respond if the student’s supply is not immediately available. In the event a student with a current prescription for epinephrine on file with the school or a student with undiagnosed anaphylaxis experiences an anaphylactic event, the school nurse may utilize the school supply of epinephrine to respond under the standing order protocol.  

The school’s supply of epinephrine autoinjectors does not negate parent/guardian responsibility to ensure that they provide the school with appropriate medication and treatment orders pursuant to RCW 28A.210.320 if their student is identified with a life-threatening allergy.

The superintendent will establish procedures to support this policy and to ensure:

1.    Rescue protocol in cases of suspected anaphylaxis will follow the most recent OSPI’s Guidelines for the Care of Students with Anaphylaxis;

2.    A simple and standardized format for emergency care plans is utilized;

3.    A protocol is in place to ensure emergency care plans are current and completed;

4.    Medication orders are clear and unambiguous; and renewed prior to the first day of school academic year;

5.    Training and documentation is a priority;  and

6.    Each school’s supply of epinephrine autoinjectors, if any, is maintained pursuant to manufacturer’s instructions and district medication policy and procedures.

Cross References:
Policy 3416	Medication at School
Policy 3418	Emergency Treatment
Policy 3419	Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications
Form 3420	Employee Administration of Epinephrine by Autoinjector Opt Out
Legal References:
RCW 28A.210.383	Anaphylaxis – Policy Guidelines –Procedures– Report
WAC 392-380	Life-Threatening Health Condition
Management Resources:
August 2018 Policy Issue
Policy and Legal News, December 2013	Discretionary new epinephrine autoinjector law allows districts to stock and administer their own supply of epinephrine autoinjectors
Policy News, August 2012	Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response
Policy News, February 2009	Anaphylaxis Prevention Policy Required
OSPI, March 2021	Guidelines for the Care of Students with Anaphylaxis

 

Adoption Date: 01.28.2014
Revised Dates: 02.27.2024