POLICY PURPOSE:

Colorado State University Pueblo values the health and safety of all people who come to our campus to learn, work, and visit. Serious allergic emergencies such as anaphylaxis can happen to individuals who react to certain environmental factors and exposures such as insect bites, foods, medications, and other allergens. In the 2023 Colorado legislative session, Colorado adopted SB23-299 requiring institutions of higher education to stock Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EAIs). The bill also encourages the placement of EAIs in other locations where students typically congregate. This policy's purpose is to implement the statute and guide the University in placing and managing the availability of these life-saving devices.

POLICY APPLIES TO (Persons affected by):

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and other employees and persons under the direction of the University. Wolfpack Wellness Center staff also follow the clinic’s own policies and procedures, including applicable standards of care.

DEFINITIONS:

Epinephrine Auto-Injector, or EAI: A single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body. It is most often used for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Different dosages are used for adults and children.

POLICY STATEMENT:

The University, through its Wolfpack Wellness Center, will acquire and stock a supply of EAIs.

EAIs will be available in campus locations established by the University. These locations will include, at a minimum, each student residence hall, as designated by the Director of Residence Life and Housing, and the Occhiato Student Center near the dining area. The university department having administrative responsibility for and control of the location in which the EAIs are kept will assign employees to be trained in the use of EAIs and to provide oversight and monitoring of the location.

EAIs will not be kept under lock and key but should be kept in a location that can be monitored by local departmental staff. Any person is permitted to retrieve and use an EAI in a perceived emergency. Inventory of EAIs not yet placed where they can be immediately retrieved shall be secured.

Any university community member who renders emergency care or treatment to a person perceived to be experiencing anaphylaxis should, as soon as possible, call 911. A person who acts in good faith to render emergency care or treatment is immune from liability under Colorado law.

Any person who intentionally interferes with, vandalizes, or removes an EAI without authorization (other than in an emergency) may be subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion or termination from the University.

No university department, unit, or employee is authorized to acquire or supply EAIs without going through the Wolfpack Wellness Center (except for persons acquiring and carrying EAIs for their personal use).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Wolfpack Wellness Center is responsible for:

• Overseeing the acquisition and supply of EAIs for the entire campus.
• Maintaining a written record of each instance in which a university EAI is used to treat an individual perceived to be experiencing an emergency allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, on university premises.
• Maintaining a written inventory of EAIs.
• In conjunction with the Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management, inspecting the locations where EAIs are kept to ensure that the supply is kept current, expiration dates are monitored, and EAIs are in working order.
• Providing training to appropriate employees on how to use an EAI. The recommended training is the American Red Cross Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector course available online. It is approximately 30 minutes long.
  
  

University Departments and Units are responsible for:

• Communicating with Wolfpack Wellness Center personnel whenever an EAI is deployed or needs replacement or inspection.
• Assigning appropriate employees to take the EAI training course offered by the Wolfpack Wellness Center.

RELATED LAWS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES:

C.R.S. §§ 23-5-149, 25-47-107

APPROVED:

By: Armando Valdez, President

12/16/2024