PROCUREMENT AND USE OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTORS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS | Policy Manual

5330.02 - PROCUREMENT AND USE OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTORS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

In accordance with State law, the Board of Education shall procure epinephrine auto-injectors (“Epi-Pens”) for use in emergency situations. Epinephrine is a prescription drug used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions caused by insect bites or stings, foods, medications, latex, and other causes. The Superintendent shall adopt a policy and procedures, alternatively termed “Administrative Guidelines,” governing the maintenance and use of Epi-Pens. The Superintendent shall consult with a licensed health professional who is authorized to prescribe drugs (“Prescriber”) when developing policy/administrative guidelines.

The Superintendent’s policy/administrative guidelines shall:

identify the location(s) in each school building where the Epi-Pens shall be stored;
specify the conditions under which Epi-Pens must be stored, replaced, and disposed of;
specify the individuals employed by or under contract with the Board, in addition to a licensed school nurse and licensed athletic trainer, who may access and use Epi-Pens in emergency situations;
specify the training that Board employees or contractors (besides school nurses or athletic trainers) must complete before being authorized to access and use Epi-Pens;
identify the emergency situations, including when an individual exhibits signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, in which a school nurse, athletic trainer, or other trained employee/contractor may access and use an Epi-Pen;
specify that assistance from an emergency medical service provider (911) must be requested immediately after an Epi-Pen is used; and
specify individuals, in addition to students, employees, contractors, and visitors, to whom a dosage of epinephrine may be administered through an Epi-Pen in an emergency situation.

Each Building Principal shall endeavor to maintain at least two (2) Epi-Pens of both prescribed doses in their building. In procuring Epi-Pens, the Board will accept donations of Epi-Pens from wholesale distributors of dangerous drugs or manufacturers of dangerous drugs, as well as donations of money from any person to purchase Epi-Pens. The Superintendent shall report to the Ohio Department of Education (“ODE”), in the form and manner determined by ODE, each procurement of Epi-Pens and each occurrence in which an Epi-Pen is used from District’s supply.

In order to facilitate the use of an Epi-Pen in an emergency situation pursuant to this Policy and AG 5330.02, the Board will procure Epi-Pens by either (1) having a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, acting in accordance with State laws, personally furnish the Epi-Pens to the District or issue a prescription for them in the name of the District, or (2) having the Superintendent obtain a prescriber-issued protocol that includes definitive order for Epi-Pens and the dosages of epinephrine to be administered through them. If the Superintendent obtains a prescriber-issued protocol, s/he will retain the original protocol and provide a copy of it to each Building Principal of each school at which Epi-Pens are maintained in accordance with this Policy and AG 5330.02.

In accordance with Ohio law, the Board, its members, employees and contractors, and a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who personally furnishes or prescribes Epi-Pens, consults with the Superintendent, or issues a protocol, shall not be liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an act or omission associated with procuring, maintaining, accessing, or using Epi-Pens in emergency situations as provided for by this policy and AG 5330.02, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.