For students with a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis), the District will take appropriate steps for the student's safety, including implementing a nursing care plan. The District will utilize the Guidelines for the Care of Students with Anaphylaxis published by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Recommended practice for treating student anaphylaxis during school or school sponsored events is to give Epinephrine immediately and activate the EMS (911) system if a student, known to have anaphylaxis, has an exposure or a suspected exposure to an allergen.

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. School District will develop a process to identify students at risk for life-threatening allergies and to report this information to the school nurse. Upon receiving the diagnosis, school staff will contact the parent/guardian to develop a nursing care plan. A nursing care plan will 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 for a consultation 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.

Annually, and prior to the first day of attendance, the student health file will contain:

1. a current, completed nursing care plan;
    
2. a written description of the treatment order, signed by a licensed health care provider and parent annually; and
    
3. an adequate and current supply of autoinjectors (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, appropriate autoinjectors and other medications as ordered by the prescriber.

Students who have a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy and no medication or treatment order presented to the school, will 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 in accordance with the policies and procedure set forth in District Policy.

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 (registered nurse) 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, near playground, etc.). With the permission of parents/guardian and the student, (if appropriate), other students and parents may be given information about anaphylaxis to support the student's safety and control exposure to allergens. 

All School Staff 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 respond to an anaphylaxis episode (calling 911/EMS when symptoms of anaphylaxis are first observed) and hands-on training in the use of an autoinjector. Training should also include notification that more than one dose may be necessary in a prolonged anaphylaxis event.

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.

Student-specific Training
 

Annually, before the start of the school year and/or before the student attends school for the first time, the school nurse will provide student-specific training and additional information to teachers, teacher's assistants, clerical staff, food service workers, and bus drivers who will have known contact with a diagnosed student and are implementing the nursing care plan.

Controlling the Exposure to Allergens
 

Controlling the exposure to allergens requires the cooperation of parents, students, the health care community, school employees and the school district. 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 limit the allergen in school lunches and snacks or other products when a student with life-threatening allergies is in the classroom. The district will discourage the sharing of food, utensils and containers. To the extent practicable, the District will utilize strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents including food and other allergens such as avoiding the use of latex gloves.

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.) and implement appropriate accommodations.

Adopted:

12/19/19