Should students be allowed to carry emergency asthma inhalers or staff trained to use Epi-pens?
NCS: Whether students can self administer asthma inhalers, and whether or not teachers can administer epinephrine to students, are matters of state law. From a practice perspective, students with chronic conditions need to learn self-care skills, including self-administration of medication, in order to develop into competent adults. Immediate access to medication may also be critical for disease management and lifesaving purposes. Self-administration includes keeping the medication on one’s person. School nurses should support policies that promote safe self-administration of medication, including epinephrine (Epi-Pens) for students at high risk of anaphylaxis. If students are unable to self-administer epinephrine, it should be immediately available for rapid administration by properly trained staff.
