5330.03 - PROCUREMENT AND USE OF ASTHMA INHALERS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Monroe Local School District

Bylaws & Policies

5330.03 - PROCUREMENT AND USE OF ASTHMA INHALERS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

In accordance with State law, the Board of Education shall procure Asthma Inhalers for use in emergency situations. An Asthma Inhaler is a device that delivers medication to alleviate asthmatic symptoms, is manufactured in the form of a metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler, and may include a spacer, holding chamber, or other device that attaches to the inhaler and is used to improve the delivery of the medication. The Superintendent shall adopt a policy and procedures, alternatively termed "Administrative Guidelines," governing the maintenance and use of Asthma Inhalers. The Superintendent shall consult with a licensed health professional who is authorized to prescribe drugs ("Prescriber") when developing policy/administrative guidelines.

The Superintendent’s policy/administrative guidelines shall:

	A.	include a prescriber-issued protocol specifying definitive orders for Asthma Inhalers, including the dosages of medication to be administered through the Asthma Inhalers, the number of times that each Inhaler may be used before disposal, and the methods of disposal;

	B.	identify the location(s) in each school building where the Asthma Inhalers shall be stored;

	C.	specify the conditions under which Asthma Inhalers must be stored, replaced, and disposed of;

	D.	specify the individuals employed by or under contract with the Board, in addition to a licensed school nurse and licensed athletic trainer, who may access and use Asthma Inhalers to provide a dosage of medication to individuals in an emergency situations;

	E.	specify the training that Board employees or contractors (besides school nurses or athletic trainers) must complete before being authorized to access and use Asthma Inhalers;


	F.	identify the emergency situations, including when an individual exhibits signs and symptoms of asthma, in which a school nurse, athletic trainer, or other trained employee/contractor may access and use an Asthma Inhaler;

	G.	specify that assistance from an emergency medical service provider (911) must be requested immediately after an employee/contractor (besides a school nurse, athletic trainer or another licensed health professional) uses an Asthma Inhaler; and

	H.	specify individuals, in addition to students, employees, contractors, and visitors, to whom a dosage of medication may be administered through an Asthma Inhaler in an emergency situation.

Each Building Principal shall endeavor to maintain at least two (2) Asthma Inhalers in their building. In procuring Asthma Inhalers, the Board will accept donations of Asthma Inhalers from wholesale distributors of dangerous drugs or manufacturers of dangerous drugs, as well as donations of money from any person to purchase Asthma Inhalers. The Superintendent shall report to the Ohio Department of Education ("ODE"), in the form and manner determined by ODE, each procurement of Asthma Inhalers and each occurrence in which an Inhaler is used from District’s supply.

In order to allow the use of an Asthma Inhaler in an emergency situation pursuant to this Policy and AG 5330.03, the Superintendent shall obtain a standing order or protocol from an authorized prescriber, in order to administer dosages of medication through the Asthma Inhalers from the District’s supply, including the number of times each Inhaler may be used before disposal, and the methods of disposal. The Superintendent shall retain the original standing order/protocol and provide a copy of it to each Building Principal of each school at which Asthma Inhalers are maintained in accordance with this Policy and AG 5330.03.

In accordance with Ohio law, the Board, and its members, employees and contractors shall not be liable in a civil action for damages resulting from injuries arising from acts or omissions associated with procuring, maintaining, accessing, or using Asthma Inhalers in emergency situations as prescribed by this policy and AG 5330.03, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

R.C. 3313.7113

Adopted 5/16/16