May 14, 2013

We, The Undersigned



Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) - get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?

I would petition the powers that be!  Lol!  Because I don't really know who makes these decisions.  (I guess if I'm going to change it, I'd better find out who really does make these decisions! :)

My petition would be that glucagon be removed from the list of medications that my child is not allowed to carry on her person in school.  That glucagon not be on a list of medications that can only be administered by certain individuals. 

Emergency medication must be accessible at all times.   (I read that somewhere, sorry can't remember where I saw that.)   Yet, students, nor teachers are allowed to carry glucagon.   It must be housed in the health clinic.  (Side note: We have gotten around this with a note of medical necessity from our doctor.)   But why does this policy exist in the first place?   It's a life-saving drug that is used in an emergency! 

We are talking about a life saving medication here! (Oh, did I already say that?)  Glucagon is a hormone that is naturally produced in the pancreas.  It is used when a person is experiencing severe hypoglycemia.  If it is needed, it is needed right now!  Not in five minutes when someone can locate the appropriate person, who then has to unlock it from the designated medication cabinet.  Like RIGHT NOW!

I'm not sure how much of this is state law driven and how much is school district policy.  So, please don't quote me on this.  But here goes my best understanding of the glucagon situation (at least in our school district, here in the state of Ohio).

Ohio Revised Code 3313.713 requires training for employees who administer prescription medications.  This medication administration training must be conducted by a licensed health professional.  It also states that the school board's policy may provide that certain drugs or types of drugs shall not be administered.

I understand that medication around children is not to be taken lightly.  I understand the school's liability and that proper precautions and documentation is necessary.  But here's the thing.  We are talking about glucagon.  Glucagon is a life-saving hormone, that is naturally produced by the pancreas!  (There, I said it AGAIN!)

Our previous school nurse (who is awesome, by the way!), is now district nurse for our school system.  She went through special training to become a "trainer for Medication Administration training."  That wordiness means that she is now allowed to train other school staff to administer certain medications.  From speaking with her, I believe that glucagon is on that list.  She is planning to include glucagon training in the beginning of the year staff training (typically includes epipen training and the like).

Why do we have to jump through so many hoops?  I am thrilled that glucagon administration will be shared with our entire staff so that, if it is ever needed, anyone will be allowed to administer it, and at least be somewhat familiar with it.  But, I consider myself one of the lucky ones.  We have an amazing district nurse who gets it!  If it were not for her, I am not certain that this would be happening.  And I'm thinking that other districts (in our state anyway) may not be so lucky.

If my child needs glucagon, I pray that it is within an arms reach and that someone - anyone - will be willing to administer it!
 
Oh how fun it is to participate in Diabetes Blog Week!  Now go read what other bloggers had to say about We, The Undersigned - Tuesday 5/14.


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4 comments:

  1. I home school my daughter, but I feel the stress in your post. I do send her to camps and classes and other places where I'd want that glucagon on her person! I have another child, a son, who carries an epipen. When I called to ask about my daughters Glucagon, I was told that the staff at the nature museum where they take classes would not be able to administer either of them. I decided to just keep sending the epipen because I hoped that on the off chance he had a reaction someone would have the wits to defy the policy, but it ain't a pretty thought! Good luck to you.

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  2. I remember having to deal with this when we lived in the States and it was extremely frustrating!You're child should be allowed to carry it and anyone should be allowed to administer it. (it would also be nice if it came in a form that you didn't have to combine, like an epi-pen, but I digress!)

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  3. amen, sister!

    things were just changed in AK so that non-medical staff at school can be trained to give glucagon, but it still has to stay in the nurse's office...baby steps, I guess!

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  4. Wow, I had no idea!! Thanks for raising awareness about this - I'll sign!

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