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Medical Devices

A Guide for Schools when Developing a Protocol for Administration of Adrenaline to Pupils for the treatment of Severe Allergic Reactions

General information about the administration of medicines by school teachers to pupils

It is useful and advisable for a school to store medicines provided by a parent or caregiver for administration to a named pupil in agreed circumstances.

It should be noted that there is no obligation on a teacher to administer a medicine to a pupil, should a teacher not wish to.

For all medicines, including adrenaline, schools should have in place a protocol for teachers and parents to follow when parents request the school to hold a supply of adrenaline for administration to their child for severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis).

Parent responsibilities

The parent should give prior written consent for the teacher to administer the injection.

The parent should arrange for the teacher to discuss his/her role with the pupil's GP or another healthcare professional qualified to instruct the teacher on the administration of adrenaline.

The parent is to be responsible for supplying the school with adrenaline and any necessary administration devices, and for regularly checking with the school to ensure the adrenaline has not expired.

Healthcare Professional responsibilities

If requested by a parent the qualified healthcare professional should provide prior education and training to teachers of children with allergies on how, when, where and why to administer adrenaline to a named pupil. This should also include instruction on the use of the particular device of adrenaline being used e.g. pre-loaded pens, ampoules and syringes etc.

School responsibilities

The adrenaline and administration device should be kept in a secure place, away from heat, light and moisture. Relevant school staff should be informed of this storage location. Access should only be provided to authorised school staff.

The adrenaline and administration devices should be clearly labelled with the name of the child they are intended for.

The school should notify the parent/s when the adrenaline (and any necessary administration devices) needs replacing.

Joint teacher and school responsibilities

A record should be kept for each child which records:

• The written parental consent
• The GP (or another qualified healthcare professional) training of the teacher
• Instructions for administration and dose
• Date of administration and signature of administrator
• Date the supply was delivered to the school
• Expiry date of current supply
• Details of the parent to contact when a dose of adrenaline is administered. (To inform the parents that the child has had an injection and to signal that more adrenaline and/or syringes may be necessary.)

Teacher responsibilities

The teacher is responsible for being aware if any children in their class are likely to require adrenaline administration.

The teacher needs to know how and when to administer adrenaline.

Responsibilities of all parties (school, teachers, parent and GP)

The protocol developed for the administration of adrenaline should include an 'Action Plan'.

The Action Plan should be drawn up in conjunction with the GP and parent and needs to include:

• When to administer the adrenaline
• Where to administer the adrenaline
• How to administer the adrenaline (and the particular adrenaline device used)
• What to do after adrenaline has been administered. It is essential that a doctor see the pupil immediately after administration of adrenaline as:
  
  • Further doses of adrenaline maybe necessary.
  • There is a possibility of delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
  • Further medical intervention may be necessary.
    
    
• Details on how the school/teacher will obtain further medical assistance post-administration of adrenaline. Possible options include:
  
  • Calling an ambulance
  • Transporting the pupil directly to A&E
  • Transporting the pupil directly to the GP

It is up to the school to decide how they will seek further medical assistance, and this should be specified in the protocol.

When and how the school will contact the parents/caregiver to inform them the child has been administered adrenaline, and how further medical assistance has been sought. It needs to be clear who is responsible for collecting the pupil from the medical centre/hospital.

 

Original date of issue by Medsafe: July 2002
Revised by Medsafe: May 2006