Illinois schools now allowed to carry inhalers for any student
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — School nurses can now stock asthma medications for any student experiencing respiratory symptoms in Illinois schools.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra signed a standing order Wednesday to allow all trained school workers to treat any student experiencing an asthma attack or other emergency respiratory distress with “undesignated” inhalers and other medications.
Before the order, each school had to secure a standing order from a local doctor. Officials say the statewide order streamlines the process for the trained school workers.
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Vohra said he’s seen firsthand as a pediatrician albuterol inhalers can save lives.
“Inhalers and medications like albuterol are essential treatments to treat severe asthma attacks in students diagnosed with asthma but also in individuals who may not even know they have it,” Vohra said. “Illinois schools now have all the tools to obtain, stock, and administer this life-saving medication.”
Vohra also noted Illinois has previously passed funding to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America in the FY23 budget for to provide schools to have undesignated medication and equipment for their students.
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The AAFA has already provided the medication for approximately 80 percent of all public schools in Illinois.
In the first five months, more than 125 schools administered the medication, data from the AFFA shows. Reports show 79 percent of students who were given medicine were able to return to class, 20 percent went home with a parent or guardian for the day, and only two students were transported to hospitals.
The school is required to contact the parent/guardian if medication is administered.
The standing order is in effect until February, and would need to be resigned and/or updated by the IDPH director yearly.
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