School Lost Daughter's Inhaler - What Should I Do?

I would email the Superintendent or director of the school. This should NEVER happen. A childs life could truly depend on it.

For your daughter's health you have to get her another inhaler. I would see what the school will do to help you with the cost but don't hold your breath. Since the school's policy does not allow medications in the classroom (pretty standard) you will have to trust the nurse unless you want to go to the school each day (and be on call to arrive within 15 minutes of an attack). Are you just finding out at openhouse that they didn't find the inhaler and didn't give her the dosage all week? I would be very upset about that.

Actually, the reimbursement can be a HUGE issue. Most insurance plans will only cover so much of a product in a certain period of time.

I used to represent a diabetes drug that was prefilled with exactly 1 month's worth of medication. If the patient tried to refill it early, insurance would deny it and make the patient pay the $200 cash price for it.

So, yes, you need to research how difficult, financially, it will be to replace the inhaler.

I'd also recommend setting-up an appointment with the nurse and administrator to find out exactly what happened? What if your daughter had a severe asthma attack while there, and they couldn't find it? You'd be charged for the ambulance to take her to the ER.

There needs to be a SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) in place, and there needs to be a medication log of what's received, when it's used, and when it's removed from the Nurse's office.

They should be liable, and it's not like me to have that strong of an opinion on the matter.

I would be so angry as well. Most importantly is the fact that she didnt even get the dosages she needed! I cant believe they didnt notify you that she was not going to get the noon dosage and give you the option of coming in or bringing the new one! Someone dropped the ball here big time! I would get here the medicine and give it to the teacher. Tell whoever needs to be told that this is the way your doing it considering they already lost one inhaler. No ifs ands or buts. Policy or not, you tried that route and now your way is the way it will be. I dont know if I helped you any, but, if it helps to know I am totally ticked off at her school!!

Very probably - an honest mistake. Schools are hectic at the beginning of the year and in the midst - it has been misplaced.

HOWEVER, it's a bigger issue to me ! I would NOT trust her. Sorry, gals. I'm considering that she did not check back with mom until Thursday. We're talking four missed doses, on a doctor's note.

I get mistakes. I get confusion. I don't get her lack of prioritizing.

I would absolutely get a second inhaler to the school. I would, in fact get TWO of them prepared for school use - so you might have a second backup to get there asap when needed. I always consider a faulty one. What if it were to clog, etc.

and I would review the school policy carefully. This is, perhaps, a board or administrative issue. Address it with them. I'm NOT a fan of tattling - but I am a great advocate for my child and certainly will REPORT when things are not working as they should be. Certainly they need to know.

When I classroom taught, we were not allowed to hold any medical supplies within our classroom, either. Not because we couldn't figure them out, be relied upon, etc - rather so they would not be misused by another or taken by a wrong party. I get that. Yet problems can occur when a school nurse is out for lunch - when a secretary is away from her desk. Ask for a backup plan. You've earned the right to know what their policy is - and how this can be made right.

Good luck !

In public schools I taught in, I was not allowed to keep medicine. Only the nurse or one lady in the office could dispense it. At a private school, I kept one boys inhaler. A mother wanted me to turn on a nebulizer, but the school lawyer said only a trained nurse could.
There really is no excuse for losing it and the worst thing is her missing her medicine. Perhaps you need to speak to the principal then the superintendent if they can't find it. I would notify the doctor too. Our pediatrician offered to call the school if I wanted when they refused my child access to the bathroom(she has a medical issue).

I think your daughters health is the most important thing right now, so get her a new inhaler.. have the school continue to look for the other..

They did not do this on purpose.. It happens. I know it does not make it any better, but let them know you are very concerned and need to know what they will do not to lose the replacement.

Our daughter always had to have extra inhalers and I always worried this may happen at school. What is funny is that at home, it would get misplaced (usually because of my husband) and it was always so frustrating..

Did you take another inhaler to the school and they still didn't give her the prescribed doses? If so, I would have a conversation with the nurse and the principal about the incident and how to prevent it in the future. Most people that have never seen a child (or adult) have an asthma attack, don't realize how terrifying and dangerous it is. The school is, most likely, not going to change their policy of not allowing medications in the classroom (with good reason) but you must be sure there is a workable procedure in place. Unfortunately this will not be your last run-in with a school nurse!

I don't know what kind of inhaler it, they vary widely in cost...but I wonder if your insurance will cover lost medication...a lot of insurances will do that. You also might check with your pediatrician to see if the doctors office has a sample or a coupon that they can give you. It would also be worth checking with your pharmacy...the pharmacy that I work in keeps an expandable file FULL of coupons that we use for customers!!!
I Would also go to the school district administration office and talk to them, tell them what has happened and ask them how they are going to ASSURE you that this doesn't happen again!! I would ask them what their storage procedures are, they have to have a way to keep the students medications seperate and accounted for. There is absolutely NO acceptable excuse for this.
I would not worry about asking the school to reimburse you for the inhaler, unless it is one of the more expensive ones...and then I would definitely be presenting them with a bill!!
There is also no excuse for them failing to give your daughter the medicine that she was supposed to be receiving every day!!! That is what I would be the most upset about...all they had to do was make a simple call to you and tell you what was going on...the very FIRST day that they couldnt give her the inhalation treament!!!
If you will talk to your doctor and your pharmacist I am sure they can find a way to help you get an inhaler at less than full price...I do this for customers every single day!!!
The most important thing is that you see to it that your daughter is properly cared for at her school...it should be a safe place for her!!

Well yah, I would be real irked.

But my concern would not be about getting them to reimburse me... if they will then fine. If not, then oh well.
But, you may just file a report... and this is a "prescription" drug... and they lost it.... who knows... where it is, or if someone stole it.
Usually prescription drugs... are in locked storage....

What are their protocols/policies about it???

But, just bring your daughter another inhaler. After all... it has been since Monday... that it has been lost.... and she has NOT gotten any of her dosages administered for the week. At all. And today is Thursday..... ?!

This to me is serious... okay, things get lost. But this is a prescription... medicine....
I have Asthma... and I KNOW firsthand... how dangerous, and fatal... asthma can be.
It is very dangerous.

I would ask them... what do they do, for example, if a child needs an Epi Pen???? for an allergic reaction????
A kid, CANNOT wait.... until someone walks to the Health Room, then back to the child, to then administer the Epi Pen. The kid can die... or asphyxiate by then etc.

Again, your daughter... has NOT GOTTEN any of her dosages... all week. They admitted that.
I assume you went to the school right away and gave them another inhaler??? But STILL... the problem is that... they have not given your daughter ANY dosages... "for the week."
Um... that is really a problem.

The problem is not getting your money back... the problem... is that they are not giving your daughter, per her Pediatrician's orders... her REQUIRED medicine or dosages... and they seem to take this lightly.

I would not trust them.

Asthma... is fatal.
An attack... comes on very suddenly.
I know.
I am asthmatic.
I would really.... get it straight... what the school's policies are... regarding their responsibility for this and the storage/handling of "Prescription" medicines.... for the children. AND who has access to it.
Schools or ANY "accredited" facility/school.... has to have, a 'standard' policy in place about storing of medicines... prescriptions. Otherwise, anyone... could potentially steal it.

all the best,
Susan

First
Relax and take a breath
I do have asthma
I know the panic attacks your daughter can experience

Here is a plan
Get another inhaler
Give it to the school
Check with your daughter if she is receiving the daily puffs
The money is not the issue
Your daughters health is he issue

Chat with the nurse and explain your fears about your daughters condition.
Not opposing or displacing blame with make the situation better for both sides.

Remember to care for your daughter. Don't throw blame when you are worried.
How many times I have lost or dropped my own inhaler in the toilet out of a pocket, I hate to count. We all lose things. It becomes a problem when the losing is non-ending.

Have a nice day.
Take a breath.
Now go fight the battle you need to.

You have to sign it in and out right? They should have insurance to cover this mistake. I'd ask for reimbursement, but in the meantime get one up there. I'd definitely go to the admin building and file a report as quickly as you can though.

Well I would be upset too. Despite the fact they lost it, you know your daughter needs to have it no matter what. So for the sake of your daughter, get her another one and INSIST that she keeps it with the teacher since your last incident the nurse lost it. Now you have a reason to make that request. Just pray and hope they find the other one. I am not sure what the procedure is in reimbursement, but worry about that later. Make provisions for your daughter to have the meds she needs. That's more important.

I would set up a meeting with the principal and the school nurse. Review the situation with both of them, ask for the documentation that you had signed authorizing the use of the inhaler with directions, and a written statement from the school nurse stating that it was her who lost it. Ask them both what they intend to do about this and how it will be handled. I would then request that they reimburse you for the purchase of a new inhaler. Call your doctor first and ask the cost so you have that information available. You may need to purchase and bring a reciept to be reimbursed. Regardless of how this goes, check with your dr. to see if he/she has any samples available that you may be able to get for free for a new inhaler or at a reduced cost. I'm sure they'll be able to help you out. Then ask the school nurse and principal how this will be handled in the future so as not to lose the new one. Try to give them the benefit of the doubt, I mean we all lose something now and then. But at the same time, this is a prescribed medication, should be kept under lock and key, and there really is no reason this should have been lost. The school should have a procedure in place to keep track of these things and to keep them safe. Good luck!

Investigate! No matter how upset or angry you are, stay calm. YES get another inhaler, do not let any fault come back to you. If you wait to provide another inhaler they can say then it must not be so serious since you waited to provide another inhaler. Ask the nurse why she didn't contact you right away when the inhaler couldn't be found. What would they have done if she did have an attack? Find out if it's happened before with someone else's medication. Follow chain of command, after talking to the nurse, talk with the prinicipal. Find out policy and back up plans.

I always have to get at least 4 inhalers, one for school, one for our home, one for her dad's home and a back up that sometimes goes to my mom's. The insurance companies and pharmacies balk a little at 4 but when you can explain why then it's not an issue and I don't know what the cost of yours is either and that can be a factor. Fortunately, we have been able to meet the insurance dectubile by the time she needs the renewal on the inhalers so there's no co-payment.
I totally understand how upset and angry you are, I go through this with her father, I've been pretty fortuante thus far school nurse wise. Good luck!

i would make them replace it-im sorry but thats just pretty darn irresponsible-personally i think someone stold it-those inhalers are pretty spendy...you shouldnt have to replace it..if they give you grief-threaten to call the school district...this could really harm someone if in the wrong hands.my baby sisters best friend died at school by using someones inhaler just for fun....hold them responsible

Stay calm, and replace the lost inhaler right away. Then talk to the nurse, calmly, to say you are upset about what has happened. Ask her what she is going to do differently so that this never happens again. (The nurse at the school where I work has a plastic pencil box for each child's inhaler, labeled with their name.) You may also want to make an appointment (don't just walk in) to talk to the principal/director, to express your concerns. Stay calm through the whole thing, even though it may feel difficult. It's going to be okay.

It is really not ok to lose medication and not report it. I would consider this a huge problem. I agree to speak to the school administration - chances are if she isn't concerned enough to tell you about the problem, it is unlikely she had notified the principal either.

Playing games with the amount of oxygen a child gets is not responsible behavior for a nurse. Especially considering the child is not allowed to carry the medicine with her. Basically they have denied her doctor ordered medication.

Get your daughter a new inhaler and report the incident. Yes I would request they pay for a replacement. Money talks and they will have to document the incident due to fund tracking.

Good luck in all,
S.

In our area the kids can't even have cough drops in their pockets. They can be expelled for having medicines on their persons. Only the nurse can handle medicines, not even the teacher. Even the epi pens have to be in the nurses office but they have a procedure for severe. I guess she runs down there. I just know that is what the handbook says.

But I would march right down there and tell them how severe your daughters asthma is and that losing that inhaler could have been deadly for her and you are contacting an attorney. I would have already. Your kid could have died. That is so unacceptable to have lost that. I can't even believe they did and are acting so indifferent about it. What a terrible nurse.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I know how scared you must be. But first I would go down there and put the fear of god into them so maybe they find it, maybe the school board could help? Otherwise I'd go from there and keep climbing that ladder.

I know when my son was kicked in the testicles after being bullied by that same kid all year. Told the teacher at conferences, called her after that to tell her again. She said she would talk to the other 1st grade teachers to solve recess problems. I went up and up that ladder no one really caring. But when he physically assaulted my son I called the principle and even she tried to blow me off. I then told her that this kid is now assaulting my son and if they didn't fix this I would contact a lawyer because this was unacceptable and had gone on far too long. They moved that kid so quick to another classroom it wasn't even funny. I don't know why I didn't do more earlier. The handbook says he should have already been on a program because no bullying is allowed. No program here... Till I called that principle.

I'd go right up to that principle. Bet it will be handled if it's like in my area.