Seizure Rescue Medicine in Schools
March 10, 2017Priority: Pass legislation to allow school nurses and trained school personnel to administer intranasal seizure rescue medicine as prescribed by the child’s licensed healthcare provider in the school setting.
Background: Children with epilepsy can experience break-through seizures at any time, and families are routinely prescribed rescue medicines to use in the home should this occur. The most commonly prescribed seizure rescue medicine is intranasal Versed, brand name Midazolam. This seizure rescue medicine is easily administered through the nose and its safety record matches, if not exceeds, the other seizure rescue medicine, Diazepam, which is rectally administered. Currently, school nurses are only allowed to administer Diazepam.
Families and patients have been asking for schools to be allowed to administer Midazolam as an alternative to Diazepam for years. With the move to premeasured doses of Midazolam and recent FDA approval, this is now feasible for schools – even schools without a registered nurse onsite. SCCHC will work with the schools as needed to provide training for school nurses and designated school personnel.