As I sit here in Nevada watching my home state of California tackle the issue of mandated stock epinephrine in public schools a new debate rises up from the teachers union: hire more school nurses and don’t ask teachers to administer epinephrine.  This truly is a sad day in America when education leaders can’t see the forest from the trees and have lost focus (insert sigh and sad expression of concern).  What bothers me in particular is this statement regarding SB1266...

It basically boils down to the health and safety needs of children are really best met through services of credentialed school nurse,” said Mike Myslinski, spokesman for the California Teachers Association. “Educators are very concerned they could be called upon to perform medical procedures that are beyond the scope of any training they have received. It could pose significant threats to students’ health.”

Note: to read the full article from the above statement: “New bill would require epi-pen  in all schools: Unions concerned legislation could put teachers in positions beyond their training.”
Concerned parents pulled together and created the California Advocates for Food Allergy coalition to unite food allergy families, concerned physicians and citizens to work toward passing SB1266 which would require schools to stock life saving epinephrine.  Teachers, school administrators and designated individuals would be trained and authorized to use the epinephrine during an allergic emergency, such as a reaction to a bee sting or food allergen exposure.  Teachers would not be forced to administer and are able to say, “no thank you”.  Nevada was the fourth state out of five who have mandated stock epinephrine in schools.  We have seen documented cases where stock epinephrine saved a student’s life.  We know this type of law works.  There is living proof, his name in Andrue.

Have the union administrators done their homework?  Have they spoken to teachers?  To board certified allergists or other states with the same mandated laws? Do they understand the answers to their concerns?  Or are they using this bill as leveraging tool to influence school districts in hiring more nurses?
I invite the teacher’s union officials to address and discuss these questions and topics…

• Have you spoken to teachers?  Did you asked them how they would feel about watching a student gasping for air, fighting for their life and knowing that by using an epinephrine auto-injector they could save that child’s life?  From experience over the last thirteen years, every single teacher that has taught my children have accepted training to use epinephrine if needed.  Even though some were not comfortable, their dedication to NOT allowing their student to die unnecessarily was greater than their own personal fears, which were calmed with proper training.
• Teachers are incredible people who shape our future and are the next most important in a child’s life besides their parent.  I can’t name one teacher who would stand by and watch a child die when they could have made a difference by receiving training that is not difficult and easy to learn.
• Did you know that section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees children like mine, with life threatening food allergies,  a FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION in which my child’s 504 plan requires their teacher and other staff members to be able to identify and administer an epinephrine auto-injector?  My children need to be safe at school with trained adults available.  Due to the nature of anaphylaxis, immediate administration of epinephrine effects the out come and fatalities. Yes, many teachers in your state are already trained and ready to assist.
• A significant risk to student health does not exist.  Have you worked with board certified allergists to fully understand the implications of using an epinephrine auto-injector and the risks?  You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the risks are very low and far out weight the risk of not administering epinephrine.
• Do you understand that epinephrine auto-injectors were specifically created for the lay, non-medical citizen to use during an allergic emergency?
• When you speak to a board certified allergist, they will explain how to identify anaphylaxis, when to use and what would happen if you used it and it wasn’t necessary.  You’ll again be pleased when you learn it will be very hard to cause harm if the epinephrine is not needed.
• Have you visited the National Association of School Nurse’s website lately?  They offer impressive guidelines and resources for school nurses to use that include school staff training materials.  This organization is a thought leader and understand that the prevalence of  food allergies and anaphylaxis is growing. The faster and better this health issues is addressed and protocol established, the quicker everyone gets back to focusing on education.
• There are plenty of easy, and under one hour,  epinephrine and anaphylaxis training courses available.  In response to several states adopting mandated stock epinephrine, the American Red Cross has created an online Red Cross Epinephrine Injector Training class.  You can read about why they created this training on their website, “New Law to Spur Red Cross Epinephrine Injector Training”.

I understand that teachers attend college to obtain teaching degrees, not health care degrees.  I also understand that teachers did not attend college to learn about technology, but the growing use of technology has changed the face of our classrooms.  My children make power point presentations in elementary school.  My point is that our world changes and we all adapt and find the best methods to change and enhance our work based on our current environment.

Do you think the teacher’s union has done their homework and are taking a well thought out position?  Could there be other solutions?

p.s.  “Epidemic: a bill that would require schools to stock epipens advances in the senate” is another good article to read regarding SB1266-with wonderful quotes from the California Advocates for Food Allergies co-founders.