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[quote=Anonymous]Speak to the parents. Have them show you how to use it.  Practice with the epipen trainer (which doesn't have a needle, but is shaped just like the epipen and you practice by pushing it into your thigh just like a real epipen)

I use an epipen, as I have nut allergies.  I am a director of a childcare center, and I train my teachers in how to use it when we have a child who needs one enrolled in the school. ALL teachers are taught, not just the ones in the child's room, because who knows who will be in the room at the moment when you need it.

You are injecting epinephrine, which is a stimulant.  You must inject it into the fleshy (fat) part of the thigh and you can do it through pants, jeans, whatever.  So it's really, really easy.

Most centers do NOT refuse to administer the epipen, but if they did that, then they need to refuse enrollment by that family, because if you don't use the epipen when the child (or adult like me) needs it, the child wil most likely die.  Period.  By using it, you give the child/adult 15 minutes to get to the emergency room.

No, EMTs in some states do not carry epipens, but paramedics may.  This is stupid, but it's the deal with some states.  Other states allow EMTs to use epipens.  I had an instance where I was taking a child at our daycare center via ambulance to the hospital with a suspected allergic reaction - it was his first allergic reaction in his life and he was at our center. So of course he didn't have his own epipen, although the next day when he returned to the center, he of course had one.

They honestly aren't that hard to use, but if you don't think you'd use one, please tell the parents this and give notice and leave. They deserve to know this and hire a nanny who is willing to be trained and use the epipen as needed.

Frankly, you are more liable if you know a child is supposed to get an epipen and you don't use it - just flat out refuse. And, no, there isn't time for you to ccall the parents and have them race home to use the epipen - there isn't time.  It needs to be used immediately upon thinking an allergic reaction is happening.

Finally, it's epinephrine, adreniline, it will make my heart race, my hands shake, but it won't hurt me.  Not using it will hurt me more than using it will!  [/quote]

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