American Nurses Association And NASN Speak Out Against Permitting Unlicensed School Employees To Administer Insulin To California Schoolchildren

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 18 Aug 2009 - 4:00 PST

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The American Nurses Association (ANA), which represents the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses (RNs), and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) announced that they strongly urge California state legislators not to pass legislation that would authorize unlicensed school personnel to administer insulin to children with diabetes at school and school related functions. ANA and the NASN reaffirmed their position that allowing unlicensed school personnel to administer insulin is unlawful under California law and jeopardizes the health and well-being of California students with diabetes.

Representatives of ANA, ANA/California (ANA/C) and the California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) will voice their concerns this Saturday, August 15th, at a public informational hearing on this issue in Paramount, California. Hosted by the city of Paramount and chaired by Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton), Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the 52nd district assembly, the hearing is the first in a series addressing health issues facing California students with diabetes and their families.

"ANA is unequivocally opposed to the unsafe practice of allowing the unlawful use of unlicensed school personnel to administer insulin to school children. California's Department of Education does not have the right to re-define the scope of practice for registered nurses, and train unqualified personnel to administer insulin when this is not permitted by state law," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "ANA believes the children of California should receive the best quality health care, from licensed providers."

On December 26, 2008, a judge ruled in favor of ANA, ANA/C and CSNO in a lawsuit that challenged a California Department of Education advisory allowing unlicensed individuals to administer insulin to students at school. The case is on appeal, and the trial court's ruling is stayed while the appeal is pending. Yet the decision in the case is clear - California law prohibits unlicensed personnel from administering insulin to students.

"NASN supports the position of ANA and CSNO in advocating for appropriate professional nursing care," said NASN President Sandi Delack, RN, BSN, MEd, NCSN. "All students have a right to have their health needs safely met while in the school setting. NASN supports the California Nursing Practice Act in its intent to protect the public."

ANA and NASN are deeply committed to ensuring safe, quality healthcare for students. ANA supports a collaborative school health model, which best protects the fundamental public health and educational priority our nation's children represent. In such a model, the school nurse serves in the role of coordinator of care, information, education, personnel and resources to take best advantage of schools' unique position in addressing students' safety and health care needs. Under this model, disease management, including management of diabetes and insulin administration, is best provided in the school setting by a school nurse, in keeping with scope of nursing practice. ANA also supports the assignment and daily availability of a registered school nurse for the central management and implementation of school health services at the recommended ratio of one nurse for every 750 students, with an ultimate goal of at least one nurse in every school. Furthermore, ANA supports and recommends a modified ratio of fewer students per nurse, dependent upon the number of and severity of disabilities within the student population.

ANA understands that school nurses play a critical role in promoting children's health. Because of this, ANA supports the Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act, which would provide states with grants to hire more qualified school nurses. ANA is playing a key role in the nation's health care debate, and is committed to making sure that Congress delivers a health care reform bill that provides all Americans with access to quality care.

Source
The National Association of School Nurses
American Nurses Association