Asthma and Allergy Resources for Schools

Pursuant to Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30) , all Illinois school districts, public schools, charter schools, and non-public schools may maintain and administer undesignated medications, including epinephrine and asthma medication* to any person that the school nurse or trained personnel believes in good faith is having anaphylactic reaction or respiratory distress.

To support equitable access of these medications across suburban Cook County, Cook County Department of Public Health can provide suburban Cook County schools with a prescription for undesignated medication (Epinephrine Auto-Injectors or Asthma Medication*) and a signed standing order for its administration. Standing orders and prescriptions must be renewed annually. Schools must adhere to guidelines set forth in Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30).

*Asthma medication means quick-relief asthma medication, including albuterol or other short-acting bronchodilators, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of respiratory distress. Asthma medication includes medication delivered through a device, including a metered-dose inhaler with a reusable or disposable spacer or a nebulizer with a mouthpiece or mask.

Cook County Department of Public Health serves as the primary health authority for most of the municipalities within suburban Cook County.  Therefore, only schools or school districts located within CCDPH’s jurisdiction can can request a prescription and standing order.

To request a prescription and standing order for undesignated medications (Epinephrine Auto-Injectors or Asthma Medication*):

• Complete the School Request for Undesignated Medication Prescription and Standing Order Form : The district or school nurse needs to complete this request form. Please complete one form for each school in your district.
• Identify at least two employees, in addition to the school nurse (registered nurse or licensed practical nurse), that have been trained to correctly administer the undesignated medication pursuant to Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30) and document in the above request form . Only trained personnel should administer undesignated medication.
• Complete a separate request form for EACH undesignated medication prescription and standing order requested. Schools can save a copy of the request form submitted. An autogenerated email will be provided following submission and CCDPH will follow up within 7 business days.

All training shall be conducted pursuant to Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30). Training shall be incorporated into new school employee training, be held when an individual is identified at risk, and conducted school-wide annually. Training must be renewed annually, whether online or in person, and certified in writing by a school nurse or physician. Training resources for school nurses and staff are available on the Illinois State Board of Education website .

When undesignated medication is administered, the following notification must occur:

1. 1. Immediately – the student’s parents, guardian, or emergency contact
   2. Within 24 hours – student’s school nurse, if medication is administered by trained personnel
   3. Within 24 hours – student’s health care provider of record, with parent or guardian consent
   4. Within 3 days – Schools are required to complete the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Undesignated Epinephrine Report Form OR Undesignated Asthma Medication Report Form within 3 days after the administration of any undesignated asthma medication in accordance with Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-30)
   5. Email a copy of the completed ISBE Undesignated Epinephrine Report Form OR Undesignated Asthma Medication Report Form to CCDPH at [email protected] .

Epinephrine

• CCDPH Epinephrine Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
  
• ISBE Anaphylaxis Response Policy for Illinois Schools
  
• Epinephrine in Schools | EpiPen4Schools® Mylan Pharmaceuticals has agreed to provide free epinephrine auto (Epi-Pen) to all schools that have a standing order for this emergency drug. The program requirements are: 1) school must have a doctor’s order for the use of this drug, and 2) a representative of the school or district must sign the order form. The instructions and order forms can be accessed at epipen4schools.com

Asthma Medication

• CCDPH Asthma Medication Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
  
• Illinois Asthma Episode Emergency Response Protocol
  
• RESCUE in Illinois: Public Act 100-0726, allows schools to stock undesignated asthma rescue medication. This statute also authorizes school nurses and trained personnel to administer medication in the event of respiratory distress. In 2023, the Illinois Legislature funded Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America St. Louis Chapter to implement a statewide albuterol program called RESCUE . This grant, administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, funds asthma medication and medical equipment in over 3,000 public K-12 schools across the state of Illinois with the goal of keeping kids in school and out of emergency rooms.

If you have any questions regarding undesignated medication in schools, please send all inquiries to [email protected] .