Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance No. 3449, amending the Standards of Care; and take appropriate action.
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BACKGROUND:
Farmers Branch Youth Programs Standards of Care are annually adopted by ordinance and have historically included information pertaining to medication administered by staff. Current Standards of Care prohibit staff administering any injections including EpiPens. An EpiPen is an epinephrine auto injector for people with life threatening allergic reactions.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has been requested by youth program participant parents/guardians to re-evaluate the prohibition of EpiPen administration by staff. The request is specifically that employees working with youth programs be allowed to administer an EpiPen in a life threatening allergic situation. Staff has reviewed this situation, talked with the Fire Department, Risk Management, and the City Attorney and believes it is prudent to allow properly trained staff to administer an EpiPen in a life threatening allergic situation.
The Fire Department believes the risk of not administering an EpiPen in a life threatening situation far outweighs the minimal risk of administering when/if not actually needed. Further, the Fire Department believes training can be adequately provided to allow staff, including part time staff, to safely administer an EpiPen.
Training would be provided by the Fire Department. A waiver would have be signed by parents/guardians. An EpiPen would be provided by the parents/guardians.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends the Mayor conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance No. 3449 amending the Standards of Care allowing the use of EpiPen injections.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance No. 3449, amending the Standards of Care allowing the use of EpiPen injections.
2. I move to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance No. 3449, amending the Standards of Ca...
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