Would you want this responsibility?

[MM27]

Next year a student coming into my grade level has a severe allergy that means there is a possibility that an epi-pen might need to be used. Apparently there is another student in another grade as well. The nurse is looking for teachers that are willing to get trained on how to administer the epi-pen, if needed, if she is out of the building or can't get there fast enough. I'm sure none of my team is going to volunteer and being the lead teacher, I will be asked. I understand the need, but I'm thinking that there is a serious liability surrounding this as well.

 

[minkydog]

If this child has a severe allergy ALL his teachers need to be trained, whether they like it or not. He could die in the time it takes to locate the nurse or someone else who knows what to do. YOU need to know what to do!

I'm a school nurse and I do this kind of training all the time. I know it might feel icky, but it's not hard to learn. Giving an epipen is way easy. Don't be afraid of this. Once you get trained you'll feel much more competent to recognize a problem.

Please tell me this child with the severe allergy will be carrying his epipen at all times?

 

[crazyme5kids]

Yes I would learn how to use the epipen if one of the children in my care might need it administered during an allergic reaction.

 

[MM27]

I really have no idea right now other than what we were told at a meeting yesterday. I think I'm more nervous than anything else. Is there a way to "do it wrong" that could do more harm than good?

 

[MariDisney]

I work with kids and have been trained numberous times to use the epi. Basically, you take the cap off and smack it through the clothes into the leg. Thankfully, I haven't had to do it, but I believe really anyone could do it.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I don't mean to be harsh, but would you feel better if you refused to be trained and had to watch this child die in front of you? (Just another way to look at a potential situation).

My company (law firm) trained volunteers for AEDs (auto external defibrillators) and CPR. During our training someone asked "what if I don't do it right" and "what if I break a rib"? The trainer's response was "Once someone's dead, you can't do any more damage. They'll never be anymore dead than they already are."

 

[disbridemimi]

I agree that all teachers should know how to do this. You should suggest that they ALL attend. I would also suggest that there be an epipen kept at school, in case the child forgets it, loses it, leaves it in the car etc.

How old is the student?

Does your state have a "Good Samaritan Law"? If so, you would not be liable. In some states, you can be held liable for NOT helping in an emergency if yoou know how.

 

[RunningGirl]

The entire staff at our school is trained on epi pens. It is the easiest thing in the world. Really I think any teacher who might have a child needing one in the classroom should be required to have the training.

 

[monorailsilver]

My 5 yo has a severe allergy & his teacher knows how to use it.

I am thankful for her & she never once showed hesitation on having him in her class or even today when she took it with her to the pond we went to as a just in case.

FYI, I am a RN & the 2 times I took out the epipen for my ds (he was about 2 ½), I was a nervous wreck. Luckily the Benadryl worked & he didn't need the epipen. I have never given one but I have given countless other injections & a few were very big needles & I was still nervous.

I do read the directions every so often just to keep current. It is a basic injection, ie simple.

 

[Nie0214]

I agree that they should all be trained. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz41Eq560VY

 

[Mrs.Toad]

As a Girl Scout leader, I've been trained in how to use an epipen, and it's very simple, really. Remove cap, slam into leg. That's about it. I don't think there is any way you can really mess it up. The dose is premeasured and ready to go.

My dd also has a friend with a severe allergy and her mom gives me her epipen when she comes over to play. Yes, it's very scary to think what if I need to administer it, and I hope and pray that never happens, but I agree with the poster above, every one of this child's teachers ought to learn how to use it. If it is ever needed, it will be extremely urgent and time shouldn't be wasted looking for someone who knows how to use it.

Do it. You'll be OK.

 

[ericamanda01]

I have to use an epi-pen for my pain meds and it's very easy to use.

 

[minkydog]

I really have no idea right now other than what we were told at a meeting yesterday. I think I'm more nervous than anything else. Is there a way to "do it wrong" that could do more harm than good?

I work with kids and have been trained numberous times to use the epi. Basically, you take the cap off and smack it through the clothes into the leg. Thankfully, I haven't had to do it, but I believe really anyone could do it.

This is exactly right. You really can't get it wrong. The needle is meant to go through clothing, even jeans, so you don't need to undress them. Epi will come to the rescue quickly and give you enough time to get the EMTs there, about 15 minutes. Anyone who uses an epipen should be seen in the ER right away. About 25% will have a second anaphylactic reaction later.

Perhaps you could have the parent send you the insert from one of the pens. The insert has step-by-step instructions which you could copy and laminate so you'll have it to refer to in an emergency.

If you ever find yourself in a severe allergy situation don't be afraid to use the epipen. If you use it and he doesn't need it, it's okay. If you hold off until he's really struggling, you've waited too late.

 

[clh2]

I coached a high school team of 7 students, and one of "my" kids has severe tree nut and peanut allergies.

It took about 30 seconds for her mom to explain the epipen to me. Not difficult at all. While in my case the student was a sophomore in high school, and her mom was very certain that her daughter was able to self-administer the epipen herself, both her mom and I felt better knowing that I had a clue if it was needed.

If there are any students in school who might need an epipen, I think all teachers should be trained. Same for asthma inhalers.

 

[JR6ooo4]

WOuld it kill or harm someone if it was administered when there was not an allergic reaction.

I mean if there are symptoms like unresponsiveness or swelling, choking etc... and it is misdiagnosed as, say maybe the peanut allergy or something. and the epi was administered. in normal cases would it be bad.

I think my problem is deciding when action is needed. Like when someone faints. Usually their eyes are stil open but glassy and wandering. by that time it is too late to get up and catch them...

Mikeeee

 

[laurie31]

If you ever find yourself in a severe allergy situation don't be afraid to use the epipen. If you use it and he doesn't need it, it's okay. If you hold off until he's really struggling, you've waited too late.

This is exactly what I was coming to post

It's been drilled into us over and over, "If in doubt, GIVE THE EPI!"

You won't hurt the child if you're wrong and he didn't truly need it, and you WILL hurt the child if he does need it and you don't give it ASAP.

Also, just because the child carries an epi-pen, doesn't mean that he will ever actually need it. It's likely your training will never get put to use. (but of course, you do need to know, and the child needs that medication on his person - you can't know when an emergency will happen. It's best to be prepared )

 

[Camicar]

I would not hesitate to use an epipen, BUT I would also ask the school if they had written confirmation of their willingness to cover my butt in a lawsuit.

Yeah, it's a nice thought to believe that a parent would never sue under such a circumstance, but my mother was a nursing supervisor who had to deal with malpractice from patients or their families more than once. She almost left the profession the time one of her nurses saved a guy's life with CPR -and he sued her for giving him a cold. No, I'm not kidding. The case was thrown out, but the nurse who was sued DID leave the profession after that.

This crap does happen and I'd want the school to acknowledge it and be prepared to pay my legal fees.

 

[shelly3girls]

My DD has two epi-pens at school. One in the nurses office and one in the classroom. Her teacher, aide and lunch aide are all trained to use it. When she was diagnosed with food allergies her teacher requested to be her advocate (person to administer if nurse is not there). I cannot tell you how thankful I was to know that if my child's life was in danger her teacher was willing to protect her. We had to sign a release form for the school stating that they would administer it but were not responsible if anything bad happened.

Edited to add:
The prescription comes with a trainer pen. It is very easy to use.

 

[BMNABrinx]

When I was working in daycare I had a little boy that had a serious allergy to peanuts. His mom made sure his Epipen was in his back each time he came. The first day he came into my class she showed me the pen and how to use it. The directions were also printed on the outside of the case. We never had to use it but I felt comfortable with it if we did.
We (all of the workers) had already been taught how to use it in our first aid class too.

 

[MariDisney]

I just remembered that at my recent CPR/first aid re-cert the trainer had a pen that didn't have a needle. We were able to practice taking the cap off and slamming it on our own legs and other people's as well. Perhaps this might be able to be arranged for the teachers. It did help me understand how it would feel if I had to do it.