Safety Camp- EMT can\'t give EPI

I was just told the same thing at a Girl Scout day camp that we have been going to for 7 years. Leaders & even the nurse are not authorized to administer the epi. The nurse isn't even supposed to dispense pills, etc. She would help the child get it her self or some such nonsense.

Since my child is a teen and is very responsible & since I volunteer at the camp, I decided to let it go. But it seems absurd to me... what has our CYA society come to?

Anne

Check out this info. at FAAN website. It looks like your state has EMT's able to give epi.

[url="http://www.foodallergy.org/advocacy/ems.html"]http://www.foodallergy.org/advocacy/ems.html[/url]

Are you in NJ by chance? That is what they say here...they can HELP administer Epipen but cannot administer themselves. That is actually interesting because what if the child is unconscious? YIKES!!!!

Read your state's law and take it from there.

I believe that is illegal. I just read an article from Living Without today (summer 2006 issue) called 'Allergies and the Law' that talked about summer camps that didn't want to give the epi and how this is illegal under the ADA. Bascially, it is a necessity that someone be able to give the epi to a child who can have ana, otherwise they can not safely attend so saying they won't give it is in effect saying your child can't attend. One can't really imagine that happening with a child in a wheel chair. I would contact your state's Office of Civil Rights.

Maybe it was just for this specific camp day. It seemed to me that the officer I was talking with said "he law states we can not administer the medication, just assist".

We live in MN. I was shocked when I first heard this because I remember years ago verifing that all of the EMTs carried epinephrine.

Thanks for your replies.

The law does require that someone at the camp is able to administer epi. You can confirm this with the Justice Department. This falls under the ADA (Americans With Disabilites Act.) By doing a search on this board you can find their phone number. This is similar to the La Petite case where a private preschool refused to adminster epi, although they said the child could attend. There was a large settlement in the favor of the family because refusing to give epi does not allow equal access as there would be for a non-disabled child.

Since the law says camp personel must be able to give epi, my understanding of your situtation is that if EMTs cannot give epi while working as EMTs (like on an ambulance), they still must do it if working as camp counselors. If they can`t, then the camp needs to hire someone who is able to.

I agree with the person above who said that even if they will help your child do it, your child could be unconscious. When dd was in kindergarten one of the other pa kids was found unconscious and the teacher had to give the epi.

It may have something to do with whether or not the medical director who oversees the pre-hospital emergency workers allows them to do that. Some places EMTs are not allowed to use certain drugs or practices while other places are. Several years ago when I was on a local rescue squad, we couldnt use Epi pens, and later on it was OK'd that we could use them. I'm not sure if it's widespread now. Around here, there is a medical director that approves any medication or or procedure that paramedics are allowed to use, and if the (usually a dr) dr doesnt OK it, they can't do it. The medical director holds the certifications of the paramedics.

I'm not defending them not using Epi, just thought there might be another reason than the obvious.

Wow You'd think that it would be the safest place to be! That's silly. I can see EMTs not being allowed to give EPIs to someone who hasn't had one prescribed before, but with a prescription? They do need to have someone who is allowed to give the epi, but it just seems so silly that it would have to be a non-emt!

Sounds like the officer is willing to give it to him if needed without coming out and saying it. I'm sure in the situation, he'd just give it, not bother wrapping your son's hand around it, but at least he's willing to do it either way.

I really think it's illegal to say they won't administer the epi. I had a friend who had to take her case to the Dept. of Justice (federal) because a local city camp said no, they would/could not give the pen. She won...and the city was fined and made to give the epi.

I was told the same thing a few years ago.

I wanted to send my dd to a summer camp at the community center- the fire dept is literally next door.

I went over to talk with them about the Epi etc and they told me that they are not able to give it. I am in CA and they said, if it was lying next to her and she seemed to need it, they would probably give it anyways but they could not assure me that they would or could.

It is really strange... I have not asked them lately about the same situation.

Wow! that sounds sooo ridiculous... I understand peoples fear of doing it but there has to be someone who could administer it.

I have heard that about EMT's. only para-medics can do it. each town is differnt.

Yikes.
Therese