Asthmatics, you'll love this

[RUDisney]

My sister is a senior in HS and most of her classes are on the 3rd floor. When she took an excuse from the dr in telling the school that she needed to carry her inhaler, she was told by the school that she must leave it in the office (1st floor) and when she needs it, she'll have to go to the office to get it.

So, when she was at the dr's yesterday, she mentioned this. The dr was livid. There are some drugs that can be left in the office and dispensed by the nurse. Others, such as a rescue inhaler have to be on the student at all times.

The dr wrote another excuse, explaining the medical necessity of this, so my sister won't get in trouble with the zero-tolerance laws. She also wrote her an excuse to use the elevator because her asthma isn't under control enough for the stairs.

The dr was surprised that her district would be so strict about not allowing a child to carry a rescue inhaler because there was an instance where a child died trying to get to the office in one of the district's schools.

So, my sister is on notice from my mother, who didn't know about her leaving the inhaler in the office. If my sister gets in trouble, my Mom will be taking things up with the local media and with the school board.

 

[pixie dust 112]

Wow! I'm with your mom. My DD carries her inhale. Just needed to have the doctor fill out a form. She first started using an inhaler in 7th grade and has always been allowed to carry and self administer!

 

[minniebeth]

DD carries a rescue inhaler with her at all times. There is separate paperwork to be done for it, but it is not a problem. I can't believe they have never come across anyone else with this? There are many we know who carry them on themselves. I'm SURE this issue will be ironed out, the school is putting themselves at big time risk if they don't!

 

[freckles and boo]

Epipens and asthma inhalers are exceptions to the medication rules in our district.

 

[Violet Crayon]

Wow. I hope everything works out because it is a ridiculous notion to think someone suffering from an asthma attack/episode would need to make it to the office for treatment.

 

[c4a]

Way to go, Mom!

Sometimes, I think the schools take the "zero tolerance" too far. Obviously, none of the school officials has ever had an attack. The attack is scary enough-then not having the puffer handy just adds stress-which makes the attack worse. It' like they don't understand the concept "RESCUE" inhaler.

 

[JessicaR]

Your state has passed laws allowing students with asthma to carry and use prescribed medications at school. This is for Pennsylvania. Every state but three have similar laws.

To see your states laws on this subject read here.
http://www.aanma.org/cityhall/ch_childrights.htm

§ 14-1414.1. Possession and use of asthma inhalers

(a) Each school entity shall develop a written policy to allow for the possession and self-administration by children of
school age of an asthma inhaler and the prescribed medication to be administered thereby in a school setting.
(b) The policy under this section shall require a child of school age that desires to possess and self-administer an
asthma inhaler in a school setting to demonstrate the capability for self-administration and for responsible behavior in
the use thereof and to notify the school nurse immediately following each use of an asthma inhaler. The school entity
shall develop a system whereby the child may verify to the school nurse that the child is capable of self-administration
and has permission for carrying and taking the medication through the use of the asthma inhaler. The school entity shall
also restrict the availability of the asthma inhaler and the prescribed medication contained therein from other children of
school age, with immediate confiscation of both the asthma inhaler and the medication and loss of privileges if the
school policies are abused or ignored.
(c) The policy under this section may include the following:
(1) The requirement of a written statement from the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant
that provides the name of the drug, the dose, the times when the medication is to be taken and the diagnosis or
reason the medicine is needed unless the reason should remain confidential. The physician, certified registered nurse
practitioner or physician assistant shall indicate the potential of any serious reaction that may occur to the medication, as
Page 7
24 P.S. § 14-1414.1
well as any necessary emergency response. The physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant
shall state whether the child is qualified and able to self-administer the medication.
(2) The requirement of a written request from the parent or guardian that the school entity comply with the order of
the physician, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The parent's note shall include a statement
relieving the school entity or any school employe of any responsibility for the benefits or consequences of the prescribed
medication when it is parent-authorized and acknowledging that the school entity bears no responsibility for
ensuring that the medication is taken.
(3) The ability of the school entity to reserve the right to require a statement from the physician, certified registered
nurse practitioner or physician assistant for the continued use of any medication beyond a specified time period.
(d) As used in this section, "school entity" means a school district, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical
school.

 

[choirchic]

I'd send it to the media now...there's no reason for this. It's not a narcotic, nor can it be used for illegal purposes. That poor girl should be able to carry it on her!

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I work as a camp nurse for Girl Scouts- and the rule there is no meds held by the kids...

This past summer a kid comes to registration and has among all her other meds her rescue inhalers- I pulled those out of the bag that I'd take with me and handed it back to the girl and told her to give it to her unit leader to carry so it wouldn't get lost.

One of the other leaders about had a cow fit. "The girls can NOT carry their medications"

I laughed and said- as the nurse- this medicine will be carried by the girl- Just like I don't travel without my rescue inhaler or epi pen- this girl wouldn't either

 

[agnes!]

I work as a camp nurse for Girl Scouts- and the rule there is no meds held by the kids...

This past summer a kid comes to registration and has among all her other meds her rescue inhalers- I pulled those out of the bag that I'd take with me and handed it back to the girl and told her to give it to her unit leader to carry so it wouldn't get lost.

One of the other leaders about had a cow fit. "The girls can NOT carry their medications"

I laughed and said- as the nurse- this medicine will be carried by the girl- Just like I don't travel without my rescue inhaler or epi pen- this girl wouldn't either

Good for you. I've been a Camp First Aider and it's a hard job. Of course you did the right thing.

agnes!

 

[JessicaR]

I work as a camp nurse for Girl Scouts- and the rule there is no meds held by the kids...
This past summer a kid comes to registration and has among all her other meds her rescue inhalers- I pulled those out of the bag that I'd take with me and handed it back to the girl and told her to give it to her unit leader to carry so it wouldn't get lost.

One of the other leaders about had a cow fit. "The girls can NOT carry their medications"

I laughed and said- as the nurse- this medicine will be carried by the girl- Just like I don't travel without my rescue inhaler or epi pen- this girl wouldn't either

Thats because Louisiana is one of only three states that have NO laws in place to protect these children. Thank goodness this camp has you for a nurse!

 

[BCV513]

Thank God your mom and sister stood up to the school!

I remember when I was in elementary school, the rule was that inhalers and epi-pens had to be kept in the office (we were a small Catholic school and had no nurse). They were all in separate plastic bags with a prescription in each one. All it took was for one girl to have an asthma attack in the schoolyard during recess. By the time the teacher ran up two flights of stairs to the office, waded through all the bags to find the right one, and ran back down the stairs to the schoolyard, they had to call an ambulance. After that, we could carry them on us. It shouldn't have to come to that.

 

[RUDisney]

Thanks for the link, Jessica. I'm sending it to my Mom.

 

[rie'smom]

Schools want to be parents and now I guess they're playing doctor.

Thats because Louisiana is one of only three states that have NO laws in place to protect these children. Thank goodness this camp has you for a nurse!

We live in Louisiana and students ARE allowed to have their inhalers in class with an excuse from their doctor. I guess common sense doesn't need to be legislated.

 

[JessicaR]

Thanks for the link, Jessica. I'm sending it to my Mom.

You're welcome! My son is 15 now and we've been there too. It was incredible that we were met with resistance at times. I hope all goes well with your sister.

 

[CowboyCO]

My sister is a senior in HS and most of her classes are on the 3rd floor. When she took an excuse from the dr in telling the school that she needed to carry her inhaler, she was told by the school that she must leave it in the office (1st floor) and when she needs it, she'll have to go to the office to get it.

So, when she was at the dr's yesterday, she mentioned this. The dr was livid. There are some drugs that can be left in the office and dispensed by the nurse. Others, such as a rescue inhaler have to be on the student at all times.

The dr wrote another excuse, explaining the medical necessity of this, so my sister won't get in trouble with the zero-tolerance laws. She also wrote her an excuse to use the elevator because her asthma isn't under control enough for the stairs.

The dr was surprised that her district would be so strict about not allowing a child to carry a rescue inhaler because there was an instance where a child died trying to get to the office in one of the district's schools.

So, my sister is on notice from my mother, who didn't know about her leaving the inhaler in the office. If my sister gets in trouble, my Mom will be taking things up with the local media and with the school board.

That would be like a severely allergic child not being allowed to have the epi-pen on hand. My wife is asthmatic and it's no laughing matter when she gets an attack.

 

[Stacerita]

When DD was younger and in the early years of elementry school, her inhaler was kept up at the office. As she got older she kept one up there and another in her back pack. Now she just takes it with her. I know what the rules are, but if she in on the upper floor of the far building, she will not be running to the other end to get the elevator, and then across campus to get to her inhaler.

 

[Stitchfans]

Wow. I hope everything works out because it is a ridiculous notion to think someone suffering from an asthma attack/episode would need to make it to the office for treatment.

I agree. That is unbelievable!!