Eleven groups of nurses, teachers and other labor workers submitted a letter to members of the California Senate on April 25 strongly opposing passage of SB 161. If passed, the bill would allow non-medical school personnel to administer Diastat to epileptic children experiencing "cluster" or "breaktrhough" seizures.
The SEIU Nurse Alliance of California, of which Local 121RN is a member, as well as the American Nurses Association-California, California Nurses Association, United Nurses Association of CA-Union of Health Care Professionals, the California Association for Nurse Practitioners, the California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, California Labor Federation, California Federation of Teachers, LIUNA Local 777, and UTLA, all joined together in a letter stating they strongly oppose SB 161 saying it would allow "unlicensed individuals to administer this dangerous drug."
The groups say in their letter that there are things that could go wrong that a trained RN would know how to prevent, for example administering too much of the drug, which could lead to death due to respiratory failure. School employees also face legal liability if something goes wrong and they are generally not covered by the school's insurance for punitive damages.
"We urge legislators to avoid placing children in harm's way under pressure of political expediency. Schools must be properly staffed so that each child will receive a quality education and adequate healthcare," the letter states. "We strongly support having licensed, appropriately trained healthcare personnel provide the high quality care that is required to assure that not only children with disabilities but all school children have access to a free, fair and appropriate education."