AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE APPLICATION OF NASAL EPINEPHRINE.

More emergency allergy treatment at Delaware colleges

Delaware’s emergency epinephrine rules for colleges now cover nasal sprays as well as autoinjectors. Public and private degree-granting colleges located in Delaware can stock devices prescribed in the college’s name. Pharmacists or licensed health-care providers can fill those prescriptions. Stocked devices must be readily accessible and stored according to device instructions and state health department rules. Colleges must name trained employees or agents to handle storage, maintenance, and oversight. Trained staff can give emergency treatment on campus or during college activities to someone they believe is having a severe allergic reaction. The person needs no existing prescription or prior allergy diagnosis. Staff can also provide an owner’s previously dispensed, properly labeled device for immediate self-use. Required training covers allergy symptoms, safe storage and use, device and weight-based dosing differences, risks, and emergency follow-up. Training certificates last two years. After use, the person administering or using the device must contact emergency medical services as soon as possible. They must also report use to the appropriate doctor or medical authority, if known. Colleges must report each administration incident to the state health department. Prescribers, dispensers, colleges, and people providing treatment receive legal protections when acting in good faith and with reasonable care. These protections do not cover injury or death caused by unreasonable conduct or, in some cases, gross negligence. Review and audit records are confidential and protected from subpoenas, discovery, and use as court evidence; their raw data is not public. The department must promote safe use and issue rules, but no longer must send an annual report to the legislature.