The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission does not have authority to interpret the laws governing the provision of health care in K-12, public and private schools. Chapter 28A.210.383 RCW provides that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and school districts have the authority to develop anaphylactic policies for schools.
The law specifies that epinephrine autoinjectors may be prescribed to be maintained by schools for use when necessary. RCW 28A.210.383(2)(a). However, it may be feasible for OSPI and school districts to develop written policies to allow a substitution for the EAI for an individual student when the substitution is permitted by the prescriber according to the student’s anaphylaxis care plan. RCW 28A.210.383(2)(b). RCW 28A.210.383(4)(b) provides: “In the event a school nurse or other school employee administers epinephrine in substantial compliance with a student's prescription that has been prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner with prescriptive authority and written policies of the school district or private school, then the school employee, the school district or school of employment, and the members of the governing board and chief administrator are not liable in any criminal action or for civil damages as a result of administering epinephrine.” (RCW 28A.210.383).
RCW 28A.210.380 and RCW 28A.210.383 specifically require the use of an “autoinjector” to administer epinephrine. Symjepi® (https://www.symjepi.com/) is not classified as an EAI. This may apply to prescriptions for individual students as well as for the school supply.
RCW 28A.210.370 allows self-administration of medications, including epinephrine, if the student meets the requirements under the treatment plan for anaphylaxis, and has a prescription from their health care practitioner. This may include self-administering epinephrine using an EAI or a prefilled medication device if authorized in the prescription.
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