1. Students with a diagnosis of asthma or anaphylaxis are authorized, in consultation with the school nurse, to possess and self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis during the school day, during school-sponsored events, or while traveling to and from school or school-sponsored activities. The student shall be authorized to possess and self-administer medication if the following conditions are met:
   
   
   1. The parent or guardian must submit a written request for the student to self-administer medication(s) for asthma or anaphylaxis;
      
      
   2. A health care practitioner must prescribe the medication for use by the student during school hours and instruct the student in the correct and responsible way to use the medication(s);
      
      
   3. The student must demonstrate to the health care practitioner and a school nurse the skill necessary to use the medication and to use the device necessary to administer the medication;
      
      
   4. The health care practitioner must provide a written treatment plan for managing the asthma or anaphylaxis episodes of the student and for using the medication during school hours.  The written treatment plan should include name and dosage of the medication, frequency with which it may be administered, possible side effects, and the circumstances that warrant its use;
      
      
   5. The parent or guardian must sign a statement acknowledging that the District shall incur no liability as a result of any injury arising from the self-administration of medication by the student and that the parents or guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the District and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the self-administration of medication by the student. 
      
      
2. The authorization to self-medicate will be valid for the current school year only.  The parent or guardian must renew the authorization each school year. 
   
   
3. In the event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency, the District shall have the medication authorization form easily accessible.  This form includes:
   
   
   1. The student’s written treatment plan
   2. The parent or guardian’s written request that the student self-medicate; and
   3. The parent or guardian’s signed release of liability form. 
      
      
4. In the event of an asthma or anaphylactic episode at school, the District will follow reasonable and prudent emergency rescue procedures.  This may include: 
   
   
   1. Providing care as designed in the student’s emergency care plan (if the student has one)
   2. Direct supervision of all students exhibiting symptoms
   3. Calling 911, if appropriate
   4. Notifying the school nurse
   5. Notifying the student’s parent or guardian
   6. Documenting interventions
      
      
5. Backup medication, if provided by the parent or guardian, shall be kept in a central location at school.
   
   
6. A student’s authorization to possess and self-administer medication for asthma or anaphylaxis may be limited or revoked by the building principal after consultation with the certificated school nurse and the student’s parents or guardian if the student demonstrates an inability to responsibly possess and self-administer such medication. 
   
   
7. Inservice training for school staff may include:
   
   
   1. Symptoms of asthma and anaphylaxis
   2. Treatment and rescue procedures
   3. Monitoring and observation
   4. Managing the student’s school environment.

It is the policy of the Board of Directors that students with asthma or anaphylaxis are afforded the opportunity to self-administer prescribed medications. The Superintendent is directed to establish procedures that implement this policy and to develop emergency rescue procedures.

The student’s parent or guardian shall submit a written request to allow their student to self administer prescribed medications and must comply with all terms of the District’s adopted procedures.


Legal References:

January 8, 2007