Post by BunnyMacDougal on Oct 22, 2014 21:53:45 GMT -5
I came in here prepared to say, "hey schools have a lot of kids and shit gets messed up"
but this.is.not.ok.
Somebody seriously dropped a ball and its that teacher. Meds don't belong in the classroom at all. Nurses have meds and are on top of all kids with meds that have been submitted to the school. If I were you I would make the principal "aware" that your son has need of epi pens, etc that you have provided. And make sure you mention his risk for anaphylactic shock right there on school premises. That should grind some gears into action.
I seriously feel for you. I'd have died a quick death right there thinking about the risk my kid was in for 2 months. I mean peanuts are not exactly rare.
Post by prettyinpink on Oct 22, 2014 21:59:19 GMT -5
I'm glad the teacher has access to it in her room where your child is 90% of the day! I have a student with asthma and it frustrates me that even as 14 year old she is not allowed to have it on her person!
I came in here prepared to say, "hey schools have a lot of kids and shit gets messed up"
but this.is.not.ok.
Somebody seriously dropped a ball and its that teacher. Meds don't belong in the classroom at all. Nurses have meds and are on top of all kids with meds that have been submitted to the school. If I were you I would make the principal "aware" that your son has need of epi pens, etc that you have provided. And make sure you mention his risk for anaphylactic shock right there on school premises. That should grind some gears into action.
I seriously feel for you. I'd have died a quick death right there thinking about the risk my kid was in for 2 months. I mean peanuts are not exactly rare.
Emergency meds absolutely do belong in the classroom. They should follow the child. If the child goes to recess, that epi should go with. Cafeteria? Same thing. Mere seconds can make a huge difference when it comes to anaphylactic allergies. Running to the nurse and back wastes time that kid may not have.
I came in here prepared to say, "hey schools have a lot of kids and shit gets messed up"
but this.is.not.ok.
Somebody seriously dropped a ball and its that teacher. Meds don't belong in the classroom at all. Nurses have meds and are on top of all kids with meds that have been submitted to the school. If I were you I would make the principal "aware" that your son has need of epi pens, etc that you have provided. And make sure you mention his risk for anaphylactic shock right there on school premises. That should grind some gears into action.
I seriously feel for you. I'd have died a quick death right there thinking about the risk my kid was in for 2 months. I mean peanuts are not exactly rare.
Emergency meds absolutely do belong in the classroom. They should follow the child. If the child goes to recess, that epi should go with. Cafeteria? Same thing. Mere seconds can make a huge difference when it comes to anaphylactic allergies. Running to the nurse and back wastes time that kid may not have.
At our school, the only med that goes with the child's person all day is insulin. Pump only. I do see that an immediate action plan is necessary. This would definitely not work in a large school with lots of space where kids roam. In my school I've seen several REALLY quick reaction times with meds. I think that's a luxury we have in being small. I don't know what the policy is in bigger schools. I guess I think either way that teacher effed up. The nurse should *also* have the meds if they are going to be in the classroom. Or at least be keenly aware that they exist.
Post by EmilieMadison on Oct 22, 2014 22:10:46 GMT -5
I dont care if the Epi Pen is in the nurse's office or in the classroom as long as everyone who is in charge of my kid's life KNOW WHERE THE FUCK IT IS.
I'm guess about how people should be more understanding because the school nurses are overworked or because the regulations change or how traveling from one building to another is disorienting or how it's the administration or teacher's issue or something of that ilk because if it was "Well, that nurse effed up and I'm sorry your child was in an unsafe position, that makes us all look bad" then she would have come out and said it.
I dont care if the Epi Pen is in the nurse's office or in the classroom as long as everyone who is in charge of my kid's life KNOW WHERE THE FUCK IT IS.
how old is your kid? You might consider a 504 so they can keep it in backpack at all times.
This just made me realize I should ask our nurse what to do in this situation.
He's almost 7 and cannot self administer nor do I want him in charge of keeping track of his own meds.
I dont care if the Epi Pen is in the nurse's office or in the classroom as long as everyone who is in charge of my kid's life KNOW WHERE THE FUCK IT IS.
Agreed. I have food allergies and have my epi pen in my classroom. All of the staff know where it is. Even my kids do but they know to go get Mr. N or Mrs. M to give it to me if I can't do it myself. Every single person who has contact with your child should have a copy of the action plan and know where the meds are.
Epi pens should be in the classroom, absolutely. I have students' pens at my desk at all times, and several are available from the secretary, too (evidently my school is the first in our state to carry non-prescription epi pens).
eta: I'd be really frustrated too, and I would escalate. Is there a written action plan?
Epi pens should be in the classroom, absolutely. I have students' pens at my desk at all times, and several are available from the secretary, too (evidently my school is the first in our state to carry non-prescription epi pens).
eta: I'd be really frustrated too, and I would escalate. Is there a written action plan?
I have a friend that has been pushing for legislation for it in all schools. She has severe peanut allergies to the point that even the vapor can cause a reaction. She ate lunch in the principals office as a kid and doesn't want other kids to have to feel outcast like she did.
I think its cool that your school has them on hand.
How are epi pens non Rx? I did not know that was even possible. I should say when did they start being over the counter?
They are prescription strength, but aren't prescribed to one person. Rather, they've been prescribed to my school.
Are they prescribed by your pediatrician and to your kiddo, or to several kids? Who writes the order for the medication to be given, and decides the dosage to be given, and signs off on it if/when it's given? I am genuinely curious about how it works at schools, especially in a situation like that.
They are prescription strength, but aren't prescribed to one person. Rather, they've been prescribed to my school.
Are they prescribed by your pediatrician and to your kiddo, or to several kids? Who writes the order for the medication to be given, and decides the dosage to be given, and signs off on it if/when it's given? I am genuinely curious about how it works at schools, especially in a situation like that.
Sorry, I don't know the details as it's all handled by our school secretary. I'm happy to ask tomorrow and report back, though. I know that it's a new program, and she had to drive to a particular dispensary / hospital. And it's just epi pens, which only have two doses-- I think they are basically junior (under 8?) and adult. So dosage isn't an issue.
While all kids who are known to need an epi must provide two of their own (classroom and lunchroom) to the school, we have an extra in the recess pack and one extra in the office.
Sounds like a great program.. I had no idea they were so expensive either, someone told me the other day the cost of a epi pen, holy shit! Thanks for filling me in, my friend Sharknado up and left me hanging... Lol
Yep. She decided to wait until the emt's got there, which was 20 minutes. They felt he didn't need it.
And you sued and had them all fired, yes?
No, I was pretty upset but then brought it here to see if I was rationally pissed and was told I was basically overreacting. This was all before I read the article about the poor girl from Cali that seemed fine for 20 min. before needing 2 epis and then later dying. To my knowledge he's not ana to any of his allergies, but he's 2. I have no idea if he's having trouble breathing, ya know?
So your child's teacher said that she wouldn't administer a life-saving drug to your child? His/her (sorry, can't remember) throat closes up, and she's just going to sit there and watch your child die or something? What did you say?!?
His, and yes that's what the teacher said. I asked if she meant can't or wouldn't. She stated that she was too scared and it would scare the other kids. I told her B dying would be a lot scarier for everyone and then went to the admin. The principal, teacher and I took a class together on the proper use of the epi pen and she signed paperwork saying she understood how, and that she agreed, to use it. I was so filled with rage my tone was that scary calm. B has special needs and his teacher is the only problem in the whole thing. Drives me nuts but I do believe she'd help him now.
EmilieMadison I'm going to guess, and this is just a guess, that the nurse was new to your school and was trying to get familiar with her kids on emergency medications. She probably had other emergency meds in the office but not your son's. I try to have more than one epi pen for my severely allergic kids. One in the classroom and one in the health office. I also try to have more than one person delegated for the epi pen and I keep the parents informed. I am lucky in that I have not had to come into a school late in the year. I believe that would be quite disorienting.
EmilieMadison I'm going to guess, and this is just a guess, that the nurse was new to your school and was trying to get familiar with her kids on emergency medications. She probably had other emergency meds in the office but not your son's. I try to have more than one epi pen for my severely allergic kids. One in the classroom and one in the health office. I also try to have more than one person delegated for the epi pen and I keep the parents informed. I am lucky in that I have not had to come into a school late in the year. I believe that would be quite disorienting.
This is her 3rd year at the school. Epi pens have always been in the classroom because that is where the kids spend the vast majority of their day. Her phone call to me wasn't even about his epi pen, she was asking me to send his benadryl. I told her it should be with his epi pen and that's when she was like "Huh, I dont know where that is either..."This nurse is just a ditz, and the communication with the nurse/support staff/teachers and parents is truly lacking.
EmilieMadison I'm going to guess, and this is just a guess, that the nurse was new to your school and was trying to get familiar with her kids on emergency medications. She probably had other emergency meds in the office but not your son's. I try to have more than one epi pen for my severely allergic kids. One in the classroom and one in the health office. I also try to have more than one person delegated for the epi pen and I keep the parents informed. I am lucky in that I have not had to come into a school late in the year. I believe that would be quite disorienting.
This is her 3rd year at the school. Epi pens have always been in the classroom because that is where the kids spend the vast majority of their day. This nurse is just a ditz, and the communication with the nurse/support staff/teachers and parents is truly lacking.
Wow, yeah, you should be pissed. The most frustrating thing about being in the schools is that every district in every state handles every thing differently. It needs to change, drastically.