EPINEPHRINE, ANAPHYLAXIS, AND SELF-ADMINISTERED MEDICATION

EPINEPHRINE, ANAPHYLAXIS, AND SELF-ADMINISTERED MEDICATION

po5330.01Adopted July 22, 2014Revised May 12, 2026

5330.01 - EPINEPHRINE, ANAPHYLAXIS, AND SELF-ADMINISTERED MEDICATION

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to adopt a protocol developed by a licensed physician for the administration of epinephrine by school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction and to administer an epinephrine auto-injection.

A student may carry and self-administer a short-acting bronchodilator, epinephrine auto-injector, prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplement and/or may carry diabetic supplies and equipment to manage and care for their diabetes, provided the student’s parent or guardian provides the following:

  1. For self-administration of a short-acting bronchodilator, the parent or guardian must provide the District with a written authorization that is signed and dated by both the parent or guardian and physician. The written approval by the physician must include the following:

    1. name of the medication in the metered dose inhaler;

    2. the prescribed dosage;

    3. the times or the special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered; and

    4. any other special related information regarding the administration of the metered dose inhaler.

  2. For self-administration of an epinephrine auto-injector, the parent or guardian must provide the District with a written authorization that is signed and dated by both the parent or guardian and the physician. The written approval by the physician must include:

    1. the times or the special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered; and

    2. any other special related information regarding the administration of the epinephrine auto-injected.

  3. For self-administration of prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements, the parent or guardian must provide the District with a written authorization that is signed and dated and provide the prescription label containing the following:

    1. name of the medication;

    2. the prescribed dosage;

    3. the times or the special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered; and

    4. any other special related information regarding the administration of the medication.

  4. For the use of a diabetic supplies and equipment, the parent or guardian must submit written authorization from the student’s physician, containing the following:

    1. an identification of the diabetic supplies and equipment the student is authorized to carry;

    2. a description of which activities the child is capable of performing without assistance;

    3. the times or the special circumstances under which the medication is to be administered;

    4. any other special related information regarding the administration of the medication.

When providing the District with written authorization that is signed and dated by both the parent or guardian and the physician as required by State law and this policy, that written authorization must also include indemnification by the parent or guardian of the District, county health department, public-private partner, and their employees and volunteers for any and all liability for a student who does any of the following:

  1. self-administer an epinephrine auto-injector;

  2. carries diabetic supplies and equipment on their person and attends to the management and care of their diabetes while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities to the extent authorized by the parent and physician and within the parameters set forth by the State Board of Education; or

  3. use prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements.

Emergency Allergy Treatment Educational Training Programs

Educational training programs in the District pertaining to emergency allergy treatment required by State law must be conducted by a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment or an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health. The Principal shall arrange for staff who may administer an epinephrine auto-injector. The curriculum must include at a minimum:

  1. recognition of the symptoms of systemic reactions to food, insect stings, and other allergens; and

  2. the proper administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.

Training on the Prevention and Response to Allergic Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis

Each school serving students in kindergarten through grade 8 shall provide training to an adequate number of school personnel (minimum of two (2)) and contracted personnel on the prevention and response to allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. This training or other training which meets the requirements of F.S.1002.20 may be used as part of the training required under F.A.C. 6A-6.0251.

In determining what constitutes an adequate number of school personnel and contracted personnel identified for training, each school shall consider the following:

  1. the number of students with an Individualized Healthcare Plan at the school;
     
  2. the number of students who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis;
     
  3. the accessibility of healthcare personnel at the school; and
     
  4. the number of trained persons needed to ensure coverage of areas where there is a higher probability of student exposure to allergens, such as the cafeteria and playgrounds.

This training is now a required part of the annual district training plan for all clinic backup staff. The training provided at each school must include, at a minimum, the following:

  1. recognition of the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction; and
     
  2. administration of a United States Food and Drug Administration-approved epinephrine delivery device that contains a pre-measured, appropriate weight-based dose in accordance with F.S. 1006.062.

Emergency Action Plans

Emergency action plans (EAP) are child-specific action plans distributed to appropriate school and contracted personnel to facilitate an appropriate response for an anticipated health emergency. The EAP is a component of the Individualized Healthcare Plan developed in accordance with F.S. 1006.062 and F.A.C. 64F-6.004. It is the policy of the Board that: 

  1. a student’s EAP must be in effect and accessible at all times when the student is on school grounds during the school day or participating in school-sponsored activities, including before and after school programs at the school;
     
  2. personnel designated to implement a student’s EAP receive training in order to implement the plan; and
     
  3. this policy and any applicable procedures apply, at a minimum, to students in kindergarten through grade 8.

The Board and its employees and agents, including the physician who provides the standing protocol for school epinephrine auto-injectors, are not liable for any injury arising from the use of an epinephrine auto-injector administered by trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and whose professional opinion is that the student is having an anaphylactic reaction:

  1. unless the trained school personnel's action is willful and wanton;

  2. notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging that the District is not liable; and

  3. regardless of whether authorization has been given by the student's parents or guardians or by the student's physician, physician's assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner.

The School District and its employees are not liable for damages as a result of any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements and/or for the use of diabetic supplies and equipment.

(see also Policy 5780 - Student/Parent Rights)

Revised 10/15/24
Revised 10/7/25
Revised 5/12/26

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