Overview

In accordance with Texas Education Code §38.208, LISD has adopted a policy to allow trained and authorized school personnel to administer an unassigned epinephrine auto-injector – sometimes known as an EpiPen – to someone who is reasonably believed to be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Unassigned Epinephrine Auto-injectors in LISD?

The CDC encourages schools to be ready to effectively manage students with known food allergies and be prepared to respond effectively to the emergency needs of students who are not known to have food allergies.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms can affect several areas of the body, including breathing and blood circulation.

What can cause anaphylaxis?

Food allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, although several other allergens – such as insect stings, medications or latex – can be potential triggers.

What is Epinephrine?

Epinephrine is a synthetic form of the hormone adrenaline. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it as a safe and highly effective medication that can reverse severe allergy symptoms.

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

What is an Epinephrine Auto-Injector?

A single-use injectable device that delivers a fixed dose of epinephrine.

Is there a risk associated with the administration of an Epinephrine Auto-Injector?

Because the risk of death or serious disability from anaphylaxis itself usually outweighs other concerns, existing studies clearly favor the benefit of epinephrine administration in most situations. There are no medical conditions which absolutely prohibit the use of epinephrine when anaphylaxis occurs (Boyce, 2010).

Why does my student have to be transported by EMS to the nearest ER after the administration of an Unassigned Epinephrine Auto-Injector?

While initial symptoms respond to epinephrine, someone who has received epinephrine may still need more treatment for the allergic reaction. Therefore, it is imperative that following the administration of epinephrine, the student be transported by emergency medical services (EMS) to the nearest hospital emergency department even if the symptoms appear to have resolved.

Is training provided to the LISD staff?

It is a requirement that all LISD campus, food services and bus driver staff attend and participate in a generalized training on an overview and basic instruction on how to identify and take emergency action in the event of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction.

The campuses unlicensed clinic backup team is provided a more comprehensive training.

When is the Unassigned Epinephrine Auto Injectors available for my student?

The epinephrine auto-injectors will be available at your school campus during the school work day.

The epinephrine auto-injectors will not be taken off campus for any off-campus event.

What if my student has a known allergy and has prescribed epinephrine?

Students with known anaphylactic reactions, and with prescribed epinephrine, will need to provide the campus clinic with their individual epinephrine and their physician action plan, per LISD’s food allergy management plan.

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