I have never heard of a school asking for this before. Quite frankly I find it outrageous! A letter from the doctor should suffice, and you should have access to it before the school does. I think they want the doctor to say that you and your dh are over reacting. Do not sign it!!!!! I frankly cannot believe the problems these people are giving you. Especially in an environment with pre-schoolers with special needs. These people are making my blood boil. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img] Miriam
p.s. Rhonda, I cannot tell you how flattered I am by your compliment! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Thanks

Synthia, and everyone: [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
These are very important links that could help you out. Please, please, please, read them. They could prove invaluable. As an RN myself, I hold "Position Statements" by associations in my field in very high regard. I also pay attention to "Position Statements" from other medical professions as they can affect my patients as well as me. Just click them to get to the full document.
[url="http://www.nasn.org/positions/Epinephrine.htm"]http://www.nasn.org/positions/Epinephrine.htm[/url]
POSITION STATEMENT
Epinephrine Use in Life-Threatening Emergencies
*********************************************
[url="http://www.nasn.org/positions/allergy.htm"]http://www.nasn.org/positions/allergy.htm[/url]
POSITION STATEMENT
The Role of School Nurses in Allergy/Anaphylaxis Management
*********************************************
Another very helpful link. I read it from top to bottom.
[url="http://www.aaaai.org/members/academynews/1998/10/positionstatement.stm"]http://www.aaaai.org/members/academynews/1998/10/positionstatement.stm[/url]

Sythina,
I am with Mariam 100%.
Please be careful about what you present to the school in writing. The doctor's letter could make or break your case for getting a 504 Designation. There is one court case out there where the doctor’s testimony actually hindered parents getting what they wanted for their child with food allergy. The doctor is considered "an expert," and if the doctor does not have the correct language in the letter, then the school can deny you 504 protection (IDEA under OHI as well if you are going that route) based on his statement.
Please see my above post and the links I have provided.
Best Wishes,
Rhonda

Rhonda,
You asked:
"Question: Is this fill-in an RN as well? Is she formally trained in anaphylaxis recognition and EpiPen administration?"
Whether this nurse is a "fill-in" or not, (I assume you mean someone supplied by an agency or temp service) she (as a licesened RN) should be able to function in the same capacity as the requirements of the person she fills in for. Actually, if she is not able to, she should refuse the assignment. Her liability is the same either way. Agency nurses are usually expected to have a bit of experience in their particular specialty since they are assigned to many different locations (usually). As for being formally trained in anaphylaxis and epi pen administration. As a nursing student, I was required to learn the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis and demonstrate the ability to administer Itramusclular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections. Epinephrine is used quite often in "code-blue" and I am formally trained in ACLS, (advanced cardiac life support), now scheduling myself to take PALS (pediatric advanced life support), and of course am formally trained in CPR (cardio pulmonary recsusitation). I have many certs in equipment management such as intra-aortic balloon pump management, but that was required by my employer. However, there is much basic knowledge and expereince a registered RN is required to have before graduating and passing boards. I hope the links were not overlooked.
[This message has been edited by MommaBear (edited January 16, 2003).]

I have trouble with it too, Synthia. I go to my son's school everyday at lunchtime to make sure he is staying away from peanut products. I keep telling myself that anything can happen to anyone, not just my pa child (I have 2 other children at that school), but while I try to suppress the fear and worry, horrible thoughts still come to mind. All the "what if" situations. It doesn't consume me, but I do worry. So no, you are not alone. These are our precious children.
Maybe once there is a plan at Little V's school, you'll feel better about it? Is there some way you can get to know the teachers better? Can you volunteer in the classroom? I found that things went better with the teacher I knew. They didn't want to inconvenience themselves at another school, where they didn't know me.
It can all be very overwhelming, but we are here for you! Hang in there!{{{{{hugs}}}}}
------------------
Be safe,
~Dawn~

Hi MommaBear,
Hope all is well. I hear you, but the intent of my question was more from a legal standpoint. I was not concerned (as I posed the question) about who was going to administer the meds. I was asking because IDEA and 504 federal regulations require that “knowledgeable” individuals be present at 504 and IDEA meetings. So, if there had been a “fill-in” at the meeting and this person does not hold the appropriate credentials, she may not be eligible to be defined legally as a “knowledgeable” person. In that case, I would not move forward with any meeting until I was sure I had the appropriate and legally qualified individuals at a 504 or IDEA meeting.
Take care,
Rhonda

Synthia - hugs to you. For me, I have a lot of fear before every "new" situation. My daughter is 8, now, so we've been dealing with it for a while. Once she's in the new situation and I can see that everything is going well then I am not as fearful. But, truth to be told - and I have mentioned it on other threads - I actually am taking anti-anxiety medication which is helping me a lot. I am not sure how I would be doing without it. (Of course - it's not the pa that [b]caused[/b] me to have trouble with anxiety. The pa just exaccerbated it.) With your daughter so young and vulnerable, and having had such severe reactions in the past: it's no wonder you are a bundle of nerves. It's tragic that little V can't get the help she needs because of this school's unwillingness to provide the safe environment she needs.
What does her doctor say about all this? Does he agree with your position on the peanut-free classroom? I know there are both wonderful and lousy doctors out there when it comes to dealing with pa. I'm just wondering how yours is, and if that's a place you can get some much needed back up.
Take care. Lots of hugs, Miriam

Rhonda,
I hear you too [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
At our 504 meeting(s), the nurse always was curiously physically absent. Of course, they did bring a lawyer. As a matter of fact, she was physically absent from the IDEA meeting as well. (IDEA meeting was during same time frame) My husband and I voiced concern over this many times (absence from the 504 meeting) during the 504 meeting, which was tape recorded. As a nurse myself, I found this appaling. However, I ENJOYED INQUIRING TO HER WHEREABOUTS FREQUENTLY, OFTEN, AND A LOT. No other person with the same credentials was substituted. We proceeded with the meeting since, my husband being a paramedic, and I being an critical care nurse, were confident we could advocate for our child in that particular arena. An advocate, we did. I am not a school nurse, nor have I ever been employed as one. But we understood the need at hand. (I was required, as part of my nursing clinicals, to spend some time with a school nurse [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] ) When it became increasingly apparent we would probably have to become parties to a legal battle, we withdrew. Even if we achieved the action we desired, we could not, as parents, bear the thought of entrusting our child's life to those who would only comply with requests through legal action.
A favorite link I refer back to often:
[url="http://www.aacn.org/AACN/memship.nsf/965028604675cdb88825680b006c88fa/7eda4030b16280f28825680a0071c4a8?OpenDocument#%5B%3Chr%3E%5DAn%20Ethi"]http://www.aacn.org/AACN/memship.ns f/96...%3E%5DAn%20Ethi[/url]
Do you think these values could be "universalized"???
[This message has been edited by MommaBear (edited January 18, 2003).]