3420-P – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response Procedure
For students with a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis), the NWESD 189 will take appropriate steps for the student’s safety, including implementing an emergency care plan developed by the NWESD 189 registered nurse. The NWESD 189 will utilize the Guidelines for the Care of Students with Anaphylaxis published by the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction.
Parent/Guardian Responsibility
Prior to enrolling a student, the parent/guardian will inform the NWESD 189 in writing of the medically diagnosed allergy(ies) and risk of anaphylaxis. The parent/guardian will use Form 3420-F1, Student Health History to document student health concerns. Upon receiving the diagnosis, program staff will contact the parent/guardian and school nurse to further evaluate the need to use Form 3420-F2, Food Allergy Assessment Form, and/or Form 3420-F3, Bee or Insect Allergy Assessment Form to develop an emergency care plan. An emergency care plan will be developed for each student with a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy.
Emergency Care Plan
The NWESD 189 registered nurse will develop a written plan that identifies the student’s allergies, symptoms of exposure, practical strategies to minimize the risks, and how to respond in an emergency.
The site administrator, designee, or NWESD 189 registered nurse shall arrange a meeting (or telephone call) between the school nurse and the parent/guardian prior to the first day of attendance to develop and discuss the emergency care plan. The plan will be developed by the school nurse in collaboration with the parent/guardian, licensed health care provider (LHP), and appropriate school staff using Form 3420-F4, Life-Threatening Allergy Care Plan. To gather pertinent student medical records, the school nurse will use Form 3420-F6, Authorization for Exchange of Medical Information.
If the treatment plan includes self-administration of medications, the parent/guardian, student, and staff will comply with NWESD 189 Policy 3419, Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication, and related Procedure 3419-P and forms. If the treatment plan includes modifications to the student’s school diet, the school nurse will initiate the use of Form 3420-F5, Request for Special Dietary Accommodations.
Annually and prior to the first day of attendance, the student health file will contain: 1) a current and completed emergency care plan; 2) a written medical order, signed by an LHP; and 3) an adequate and current supply of auto-injectors or intranasal medication (and other medications if needed). The program will also recommend to the parents/guardians that the student wear a medical alert bracelet at all times. The parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the program if the student’s condition changes and for providing the medical treatment order, appropriate auto-injectors or nasal spray and other medications as ordered by the LHP.
The NWESD 189 will exclude from programs those students who have a medically diagnosed life-threatening allergy and no medication or treatment order presented to the program, to the extent that the NWESD 189 can do so consistent with federal requirements for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and pursuant to the following due process requirements:
- Written notice to the parents/guardians or persons in loco parentis is delivered in person, by certified mail, or email.
- Notice of the applicable laws, including a copy of the laws and rules.
- The order that the student shall be excluded from school immediately and until medications or medical orders are presented.
Communications Plan and Responsibility of School Staff
After the emergency care plan is developed, the site administrator or a designee will inform the appropriate staff regarding the affected student. An appropriately certificated nurse (registered nurse) will train appropriate staff regarding the affected student and the emergency care plan. The plan will be distributed to appropriate staff and placed in appropriate locations in the program (classroom, office, school bus, lunchroom etc.). With the permission of parents/guardian and the student, (if appropriate), other students and parents/guardians may be given information about the student’s anaphylaxis to support the students’ safety and control of exposure to allergens.
In-service Training
Annually, each site administrator will provide for an in-service training on how to minimize exposure and how to respond to an anaphylaxis emergency. The training will include a review of avoidance strategies, recognition of symptoms, the emergency protocols to respond to an anaphylaxis episode (calling 911/EMS when symptoms of anaphylaxis are first observed), and hands-on training in the use of an auto-injector and nasal spray. Training should also include notifications that more than one dose may be necessary in a prolonged anaphylaxis event.
Student specific training and additional information will be provided (by an appropriately certificated registered nurse) to teachers, teacher’s assistants, clerical staff, and food service workers who will have known contact with a student diagnosed with a known allergen. The site administrator will request the sponsoring school district provide the same training and information to its transportation providers.
Controlling the Exposure to Allergens
Controlling the exposure to allergens requires the cooperation of parents/guardians, students, the healthcare community, and program employees. The NWESD 189 will inform parents/guardians of the presence of a student with life-threatening allergies in their child’s classroom and/or program and the measures being taken to protect the student. Parents/guardians will be asked to limit the allergen in school lunches and snacks or other products. The NWESD 189 will discourage the sharing of food, utensils, and containers. The NWESD 189 will take other precautions such as appropriate cleaning of eating surfaces, and avoiding the use of party balloons or contact with latex gloves. Additionally, play areas will be specified that are lowest risk for the affected student.
The NWESD 189 will also identify high-risk events and areas for students with life-threatening allergies, such as foods and beverages brought to the program site for seasonal events, equipment and curricular materials used by large numbers of students (play-dough, stuffed toys, science projects, etc.)
During program-sponsored activities, appropriate supervisors, staff and parents/guardians will be made aware of the identity of any student with life-threatening allergies, the allergens, symptoms and treatment. The lead teacher will ensure that any auto-injector or nasal spray is brought on field trips.
Employee Opt-Out
NWESD 189 employees (except licensed nurses) who have not previously agreed in writing to the use of epinephrine autoinjectors or nasal medications as part of their job description may file a written letter of refusal to administer epinephrine autoinjectors with the NWESD 189. The employee’s refusal may not serve as grounds for discharge, non-renewal, or other action adversely affecting the employee’s contract status.
No Liability
If the NWESD 189 employee or school nurse who administers epinephrine to a student substantially complies with the student’s prescription (that has been prescribed by a licensed health professional within the scope of the professional’s prescriptive authority) or a statewide standing order and the NWESD 189’s policy on anaphylaxis prevention and response, the employee, nurse, district, superintendent, and board are not liable for any criminal action or civil damages that result from the administration.
Presented to Board: 03/25/09
Revised: 11/16/09
Revised: 10/24/12
Revised: 09/27/18
Revised: 02/24/25
Date Revised: 2/24/25