Epipens in class vs with nurse\'s office

My son carries an epi on him and there is also one in the nurse's office.

At another school, when he was younger and he wasn't yet wearing the epi, it used to "travel" with him to specials and it was frequently forgotten somewhere or other.

In my son's school the Epis are kept in the nurse's office in an *unlocked* drawer. There is always a nurse on duty, and I know the principal and a few other teachers are trained. His school is small, one level, and it's only four grades...the nurse's office is only steps away from his classroom and from the gym, so I am satisfied with this arrangement. At this point, I prefer the nurse having it to him wearing it (he's five).

Hi Becca. For my son, there is a full-time nurse who keeps all the epi's in a cabinet, plus there is also an epi in the cafeteria. The nurse's office is central to the classrooms. When my son goes on field trips, the epi is transported by a teacher. Even tho my son is 11, I'd rather he not be the one to carry it at school - I know many other people don't agree with this. I feel like his epi is just steps away. So that's what we do now.

Becca, we are very fortunate. Both pa students in our school have one on one aides that carry their med. bags and stay with them throughout the day.

I approached them and asked if my son could wear an epi-belt as well just so he could get in the lifelong habit he will have to have. The state board said if he wears it he has to have the ability to inject himself and would jeopardize having an aide.

There are so many times the nurse is out of her office, and she does wear a walkie talkie, as do both aides. But I was not really comfortable leaving them in her office. There is not always a sub in when she is out either.

It sounds like a very good school and you should have no problems whatever you decide.

Oh, BTW, why on earth would you think this may end up in debate?! Here? Never! LOL

oops. double post. pardon me.

[This message has been edited by cooper (edited January 13, 2005).]

My son is kindergarten, he wears one on the bus which then stays in his classroom or will go with him to other areas of the school. The nurse also has an emergency pack in her office. The teacher, nurse, principal and subs are trained.

becca, we don't have nurses here in Canada, or Ontario at least in the schools. Jesse does have a second Epi-pen kept in an emergency medical bag in the office.

When Jesse started JK at the tender age of 3-3/4, it was required by the SCHOOL that he have his Epi-pen on his person. They didn't expect him to be able to self-inject (and I still don't think they do now that he is 9), but they wanted it that "up close and personal" on him should there be a problem.

That was the requirement of the first school board I dealt with and since it was my first child going to school and my PA child, it didn't seem like a "bad" idea to me and I still don't. I like that he has had to strap something around his waist every day when he goes to school and it only did start when he started school.

When we moved to the second school board district, I'm fairly sure they required it as well.

Interestingly enough, when I moved back to Toronto (so, third school board district), and went over Jesse's written school plan with the principal and vice principal, they both said that he HAD to wear his Epi-belt and he HAD to have a MedicAlert bracelet. That was all fine with me because I wouldn't have it any other way now.

But the funny thing is (or odd or confusing or just me thing) is that there are other PA children in the school that do not have Epi-belts on and do not have MedicAlert bracelets on (only because I've met a couple of them and had lunch with one of them do I know this).

So, why did this school require Jess to have both things when they don't require other students to, except perhaps I'm the only PA parent that has even walked in with a written school plan (remembering that that is unusual here in Canada - not saying I'm special in any way).

And whenever Jesse has gone on a field trip and I've gone to the office to pick up his emergency medical bag (second Epi-pen, Ventolin puffers), I always find it interesting that wherever they grab the bag from (usually from a cupboard behind the secretary), there are no other emergency bags. This has happened in every school we've been in - it's not like they have to look through a few bags and find which one is Jesse's - Jesse's is the only one.

So, to answer succinctly, but differently because we have no nurses, the SCHOOL required that Jesse wear his Epi-belt and that a second one be supplied to the office.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Becca,

Here's how we do it.

DS's aide or teacher carries his Epi-Pack, which contains 2 Epi-Pens; it follows DS [b]everywhere[/b]. There are also 2 back-up in the classroom's Emergency backpack (which would be grabbed in event of significant emergency, e.g. earthquake). We also keep a back-up in the Nurse's office, for the part-time Nurse who shows once a week and the school administrators. We are very satisfied with this approach.

FYI...not to debate, but to give you context as to how we went about making a decision...When we met with the school originally to lay out 504 accommodations, we based our decision to not lock up Epi's exclusively with school nurse on the AAAAI position statement on anaphylaxis in school and other child care settings.

[url="http://www.aaaai.org/media/resources/academy_statements/position_statements/ps34.asp"]http://www.aaaai.org/media/resources/academy_statements/position_statements/ps34.asp[/url]

Quoting from that position statement:
Epinephrine should be kept in locations that are easily accessible and not in locked cupboards or drawers. All staff members should know these locations. Children old enough to self-administer epinephrine should carry their own kits. For younger children, the epinephrine device should be kept in the classroom and passed from teacher to teacher as the child moves through the school (eg, from classroom to music to PE to lunch).

Hope this helps....

[This message has been edited by Nutternomore (edited January 13, 2005).]

Ryan carries one epipen in his epibelt under his shirt at all times when he leaves the house to go to school.

We have three extra epipens in the nurse's office (we have a full-time nurse and a nurse's aide).

He must have access to four at school, because the closest hospitals are about 45 minutes away.

We too didn't feel comfortable with just in the nurse's office.

Two in nurse's office, adjacent to office and always open.

Two that follow Lauren everywhere in a fanny pack (via a teacher)

Two additional that go with the aids on the playground.

The teacher & nurse approached us in November about having her carry it herself rather than having a teacher keep it. She's earned herself a reputation for being mature enough to handle it in the 3rd grade. Very pleased!

[This message has been edited by LaurensMom (edited January 13, 2005).]

Thankyou everyone. I have to deal with the issue on having epi on the bus. I know that was an issue for someone in the community, and I am trying to contact her.

So, maybe there can be a set that goes on the bus with dd, but then is taken by her teachers, in addition to the set that stays with the nurse's office. Then that set would come home on the bus with dd as well. That would cover both situations. I do think 5 is too young(she will really be 6 after the first two weeks). I worry that she would misplace it or another young child might get it and have an accident of some sort. Just safer with adults, IMO. But I would like it *very accessible*.

This principle was very approachable. He was offering up alot of info after I merely asked where dd woule eat lunch *if* she got all day K. He seemed kind and concerned. This was a very preliminary conversation, and he took it very seriously.

I have 4 other schools to tour, but this looks like one of my top 3 contenders for all reasons, allergies aside. We are not guaranteed our choice of schools. We rank all 5, then get assigned in a lottery. So, I am trying to be neutral and choose the schools I like best for our family. Then, once assigned, I hope to iron out the allergy issues. I do know all the schools have peanut free tables and even one has peanut tables, but is otherwise peanut free. He also said they usually send home a request to a class to resist sending in peanut products if there is a PA child in a class. It is not a ban, but a request and I feel that helps reduce the flow of PB into the areas dd will using.

Personally, the biggest risks I have encountered are *not* the expected snacking and meals where everyone is on high alert. I have found the mistakes are always(in our rpeschool) with a craft project involving food and the allergy was overlooked because it was not thought of as an eating activity. Parties, of course, where food comes in from home, field trips where the environment is unknown.... For these reasons, I do wish the epipens were with a person who is always with dd(her teacher). This in addition to the nurses office sounds best to me. But, I know institutions have grave concerns about sharp items and medicines getting into the wrong hands by accident. I have respect for this position. becca

Oh, and thanks for the link, Nuttermore. That might be very helpful. I know that 504's are not automatically done here for food allergies. I do know I can insist on one. becca

In our school district, the student has the right to carry their epipen with them. Our son has his epi in his backpack. Hopefully his teacher would be brave enough to use it if necessary.

Other parents prefer to have epis locked in the nurse's office (we share a nurse with several other schools so she is only present 2 mornings a week...there is someone in the office with the cabinet key.)

------------------
Jean

When my son started school, I wanted the epi-pen kept in his class (and I was ready to fight for it). When I went to the office, they requested one epi-pen to be kept in the office, and one that he carry himself. I wasn't comfortable with that idea, but, quickly realized [i]in my son's school[/i] this is the best option.

So, he wears one in an epi-belt, and one is kept in the office. He also has benedryl in both places. And yes, I am satisfied with this.

My DD has 3 Epis at school. One in the nurse's office, one in her classroom, and one in the cafeteria. The one in the nurse's office and in the classroom also have a bottle of Benadryl with it. I work at the cafe at her school, so I always have her medi kit with me there, too.

My 5 year old son has 2 Epi-Pens & Benadryl FastMelts in lockboxes in both his classroom and the nurse's office. Each lockbox has a key taped to the top of it, and the front office staff also has well-labeled extra keys. In each room of the school that my son could possibly be (regular class, art, music, PE, Spanish, the cafeteria,the nurse's office and front office), I have a neon sign with his name, info about what to do if they suspect peanut ingestion, etc. I put in bold letters where the Benadryl and Epi-Pens are located along with my cellphone number. I occasionally stroll around the school to make sure the signs are still clearly visible (they are) and chat with the teachers/staff. It helps that my son's name is very unique. People hear it and say "oh, the one who's PA!"

Hi Becca,

There is a pack in his classroom with an epipen in it that goes everywhere with him - gym, art, science, etc. There are also several in the nurses office, as well as one in his backpack (which remains in his locker).

The nurses office is directly across from the cafeteria, and if the nurse is out for the day a subsitute nurse is on duty.

Thank heaven we've never needed it!

Amy

DS (6) wears one in an epibelt and the nurse has 2 more plus Benedryl in her office--unlocked during the day, locked when she leaves. Her office is next to the lunch room.

Of note, when she's absent, there has been no substitute. The county we live in is short on school nurses (as in not all schools have them!) and, if needed, substitutes go to the schools with the most needs.

Last year, in another school, even though it was considered a school which should never be without a nurse (student attended with a serious care issue), there was rarely a substitute when the nurse was out. Ugh...once she was out for 3 weeks!

I don't rely on there being a substitute nurse.

I wrestled with this over a year ago. The preschool I registered DD for when she was 3 years old is one of the most allergy-aware around here. But they required all Epi-Pens be in the office, locked up. I was not OK with that and requested the teacher carry it. They refused.

While mulling over that...

I spoke with some friends who had food allergic kids in the public school here. When they enter Kindergarten, the child is required to carry the epi-pen at all times because they want to teach them responsibility. Uh-huh. At 5 years old. The child is responsible for making sure they take the epi-pens from class, to recess, to the cafeteria, etc. However, the food allergic child must keep them LOCKED because, well, they don't expect the other children to be "responsible" enough not to touch them.

Adding to that the fact that the public schools serve a district-wide PB&J lunch twice a week...we decided to homeschool for the time being. My child won't be their guinea pig and I'm no crusader.

Carolyn

It was very reassuring to find out that this school does not serve peanut products. They do allow then from home. But it had been standard that PB and J was the daily alternate offering. I was very relieved to find out that has been phased out.

Still have 4 schools to tour. Will be back I am sure. Thanks to all. becca.

becca
Just wanted to say good luck!!

------------------
Love this site
Synthia

[This message has been edited by synthia (edited January 19, 2005).]

Becca,

Our ds is in kindergarten. Two of his epi-pens are in the main office (there is not a full-time nurse). Two epi-pens are in his classroom and his teacher carries them to the playground and cafeteria. There is one epi-pen in each classroom where he has a special (art, music, etc). All the school staff that come into contact with ds are trained to administer the epi-pen.

When he is older, I expect he will carry his epi-pen on his person as the nurse told me this would be acceptable in our school.

Ours is kept in the nurse's office. To be honest I have wondered what good it would do in an emergency... On the other hand, if it's in the classroom and there's a sub that day, or some kids gets into it, or... My son's in kindergarten so he can't keep it himself. No good answers! I just hope it's never needed.

I'm also trying to decide the best place for ds epi at preschool in the fall. Question to those of you who said the epi goes w/ the teacher and follows child to specials, recess, etc. Does your child carry it himself or does the teacher hand it off to next teacher? Who is responsible for remembering to do this? Do you think it is sometimes forgotten? For those whose kids wear epi belt, do you think a 3 or 5 yr old can be trusted not to get into it out of curiosity? I really don't know what to even ask for at ds school yet, so I'm trying to see all angles of pros and cons. Thanks!

------------------

julieneaman, I know my son has worn his Epi-pen in a fanny pack and then Epi-belt since he was 3-3/4 years old. The school required this. They don't expect, even at his age now (9) for him to be able to self administer, but they do want his Epi-pen right on him in case it is needed.

He has never, and this is his 6th year of school, played with his Epi-pen or had any other children try to grab it from around his waist or play with it.

Now, he has certainly had questions (as have I when I've gone on field trips) about what it is that Jesse is wearing around his waist, but when the children are asking me, I always take it as a time to educate his classmates - not a lot of information, but certainly do explain to them what it is.

And I have certainly taken my Epi-pen out of my purse and out of the container to show other children what one looks like.

Honestly, we have never had any problems with Jesse wearing his Epi-belt. I don't think he has ever been teased because of it because I am sure that I would have met with some type of resistance about wearing it if he had, but no.

We have never had a problem and I am a firm believer in that the younger our children start wearing their Epi-pens, the less likely they are (although how to prove this without waiting another few years or couple at least) to rip the bloody things off when they are teenagers due to peer pressure.

I want my guy to feel as though his Epi-belt is part of his body and he's never had a problem with that.

I remember one member posting (again, a couple of years ago), who started practicing by having her child wear it at home (before he/she started school) even when doing something as simple and not dangerous as watching TV for the child to get used to it.

But no, I don't know if we've been lucky, but we've never had any problems whatsoever.

My guy knew at 3-3/4 years old that what was in that fanny pack was in there to save his life and he just knew not to fiddle with it (and this is the same child that after six years of school does not understand the concept of the no snow ball throwing policy - it is a valid comparison - he understands he needs that Epi around his waist to save his life and has known it since time began).

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I have been busy just this morning also investigating several different schools and finding out their FA policies.(My non-PA daughter will be in Kindergarten next year but I'm looking to find a school that will also accomodate my PA daughter in a couple of years) Two of the three schools we are looking at seemed very willing to work with me. Of those two schools only one has an actual full-time nurse- the others have what they call mommy care. That really helped me to narrow it down! I asked about my daughter being able to wear an Epi-belt and the nurse wanted to check what legally they can allow and thought that since it is a life-saving device that it should be okay. Does anyone know where I could find the legal info about this? Another option she agreed to was having an epi-pen in each room that my daughter will be in and that the teacher could carry one out for recess. For my comfort zone, I would be okay with either of these options but not with it being only in the nurses office.
Take care!
Angie

Hi Becca,
To go way back to your original question, DS has an epipen in his classroom and one in the nurses' office (unlocked). He also has one that goes back and forth with him on the bus. As of midway through last year peanut butter is not served in the cafeteria, but children may bring peanut products in. DS' classroom is peanut free. His classmates may bring in peanut containing foods for lunch if they choose. At our school, each class that includes a student with PA is peanut free (such that any classroom can be "peanut free" -- see MB's threads). The peanut free status is a request, not a ban.

Also, this year all busdrivers were trained to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and to administer an epipen.

T.

Thanks Tando.

I am so glad to hear you have all 3 locations covered. I have gotten fuzzy answers when I ask about having it in classrooms and on the bus, but not flat out negatives.

Thankyou for replying! becca

This week, we started leaving one epi-pen in the office, and one in the classroom. The one in the classroom is in the emergency backpack that the teachers are required to take with them on field trips and if the classrooms are evacuated (including drills).