GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Officials at Grand Rapids Public Schools say they’re ready for a new law that requires schools to keep at least two epinephrine injectors on site at all times.
Laure Martzke is the supervisors of school nurses for the district. She said GRPS has had epinephrine injectors in their schools for five years. The district also has a training video it will use to inform teachers how to use the injectors.
On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law Public Acts 186 and 187, formerly titled House Bills 4352 and 4353. The new law is aimed at helping children during allergic reactions to food and other substances that can cause swelling, thus blocking air flow.
Holland Hospital Emergency Room Physician Dr. William Harris said that epinephrine is essentially adrenaline that helps the body counteract the allergic reaction. Dr. Harris also said that it seems food allergies are on the rise amongst children.
Dr. Harris said that parents should think of the new law as a “safety blanket” in case a medical emergency happens while the child is at school.
