Epi pen protocol help needed ASAP

Liddle Noodnik · Jun 2, 2011

Hi all,
Does anyone have a written epi pen protocol for their summer camp that I would be able to look at? I have been tasked with developing a detailed protocol with a very limited time frame and would appreciate any and all help or information. Thanks

You will have to do it the old fashioned way and find something online :) Not trying to be fresh, just that I didn't see anything off hand here on AN.

Our camp the year before last provided epi as a stock med.

Last year campers had their own individual prescriptions. Or at least were supposed to. I don't have access to their written protocol, we see it when we get there

I say "our camp," this is my 3rd year volunteering for our baptist youth camp session, it is one week and pretty haphazard as far as nursing goes Makes me very nervous. I do have another nurse w/ me but neither of us is too swift.

Go thru the camp nursing forum here on AN and see if you see any topics on epipen, and there are also some general info threads about camp nursing that might help.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2011

Thanks :) I put something together, we do have procedures...just didn't have a written policy

LongislandRN23 · Jun 8, 2011

Written policy: Anaphylxasis use epi-pen.

Jolie, BSN · Jun 10, 2011

I've never worked in a camp setting, but in Nebraska, all schools are required by state law to develop and implement a policy for the administration of emergency meds in the event of a severe asthma attack and/or presumed anaphylaxis.

The following is a link to the state law. The information you may find helpful is on page 10 of the document, Appendix A.

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/epubs/E2000/R092.0059-2006.pdf

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jun 29, 2011

Check the local EMS protocols. Epi-pen usage will (or, at least, should) be on the Basic list and you should be able to adapt that easily.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 7, 2011

Review your Medication Drug book on Epipen. Make sure there is a prescription. If necessary CALL the Md if you are not sure about your patient symptoms WHEN to use it. If the doc has given it in the ER for his patient, then he should thoroughly decribe what symptoms first appeared , during and after the shot was given. This would give you a baseline of the severity of the patients condition and a knowledge of what to expect with the administration. I know its hard when You dont witness an attack and someone administers it instead of you but I have given Epipen in my family during allergic reactions. All I know is it was ordered by the doctor, the symtoms were severe enough to give it and relief was obtained. The dispensor itself may be a a little tricky but there are very good directions you can review on those slow days at camp. I would review all the meds my camp kids would get in my drug book also. Hope this helps. lumbarpain:)

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jul 7, 2011

If necessary CALL the Md if you are not sure about your patient symptoms WHEN to use it.

IF anaphylaxis THEN epipen. Why get the doc involved?

If the doc has given it in the ER for his patient, then he should thoroughly decribe what symptoms first appeared , during and after the shot was given.

Since when do docs see their own patients in the Emergency Dept?

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 7, 2011

I have seen doctors come in to see their patients in the ER many times in the past, especially if the patient has been admitted to the ER and they are their primary doctor or even not....may be a Alergist, or Pulmonary specialist, etc. all they do is page them and they come!!! However, I dont know how they respond now. Times have changed. I wouldnt hesitate to call the Primary Md for info regarding his own patient. I covered my butt when I worked all the time and documented it. I gathered as much info on my patient as possible. From family and doc.

rn/writer, RN · Jul 7, 2011

Unlikely that child's own MD would be available to or comfortable with handling this over the phone. Not to mention the fact that anaphylaxis doesn't allow a lot of time for discussion.

Rather than call a doc, I'd encourage you to call EMS for follow-up. They carry epi and have the tools to assess and maintain airway. AND they have a medical control doc on the other end of the radio.

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jul 8, 2011

During a severe Allergic response, EMS is always the answer of course!! But for additional information on the patient past history themselves if one wants to and feels most comfortable, I find speaking with the family and or private physician especially if the youngster has had a crisis that resulted in use of the epipen. This has always worked well for me, others may have different views but I am sure they will be the correct ones. I have used this medicine on my own Mom with positive results...However, that was my Mom, not a complete stranger of whoms history I am most unfamiliar with.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Thanks for all of your help :)