Standing order for albuterol in K-12 schools

HB 2360 • SB 5951

The ask

Pass HB 2360 / SB 5951 to create a statewide standing order allowing school nurses to administer albuterol.

The need

• Approximately 10% of school-aged children in the country are impacted by asthma, with a higher prevalence among lower-income students and students of color.
• Many students have undiagnosed asthma and may experience their first asthma exacerbation at school.
• Multiple studies have found that exposure to wildfire smoke can not only worsen asthma, but can also contribute to the development of asthma.
• School-age children with asthma are more likely to experience school absences than their peers.
• Studies have found that as few as 14% of students have access to albuterol inhaler medication at school, with a major reason being lost or expired inhalers.
• Within the past decade, at least 15 states have enacted legislation providing for stock albuterol policies.

Benefits of creating standing orders for albuterol

• Access to stock albuterol medication is effective for respiratory distress and safe for children.
• Allows school nurses to provide immediate assistance to students in distress.
• Ensures students experiencing respiratory challenges can receive immediate care on school grounds, reducing the risk of negative health outcomes.
• Builds on current law that provides a standing order for epinephrine in school settings.
• Every student should have access to life-saving medications.