Deer Creek updates medicine administration policy to allow district-prescribed epinephrine inhalers

The Deer Creek Board of Education voted unanimously to update policy JHCD on administration of medicine to students to include provisions for district-prescribed stock epinephrine inhalers, new training and parental notification requirements.

District staff explained the change responds to the Emerson Kate Cole Act amendment, which addresses school readiness to respond to allergic reactions. The policy update authorizes the district to stock prescribed epinephrine inhalers (and spacers) in school clinics and to use them in good faith when staff trained to recognize anaphylaxis determine a student is experiencing a severe allergic reaction. The inhalers are prescribed for a one-year term and will be reissued as needed.

Stephanie (district staff identified on the agenda) told the board the policy also adds annual training for personnel who have responsibility for students, clarifies that 911 should be called for suspected anaphylactic events, and requires notification to parents when an inhaler is used.

Board members asked how decisions about use would be made and who would perform the assessment. The district said trained clinic personnel, chiefly nurses and trained front-office staff, would make determinations about emergency use. Staff also described supporting tools such as individual allergic-reaction plans, which parents may complete, and district practices such as peanut-free classrooms in elementary schools where relevant.

The motion to adopt the JHCD update passed by a 5-0 vote (Lay, Keane, Green, Gibbs and Adamson voting yes). District staff said prescriptions are managed annually and the change is intended to reduce response time in life-threatening reactions.

The policy change will be implemented by Nursing/Health Services and includes annual training and notifications to parents and emergency responders.