DCB That Has A Nut Allergy And Asthma

[Crystal]

I'd turn them away if they didn't bring it by Monday.

It wouldn't matter to me if it was "okay" to use expired meds.....not a chance I am willing to take and definitely against regs. It is the parents own fault for not being proactive about the health and safety of their child.

[e.j.]

I know it's going to be "Well it's Friday afternoon so I won't be able to get ahold of the doctor"

Do you have the original package? My kids and husband have Epi's and my dd has an inhaler. All of their prescriptions have refills available on them. A visit or call to the dr. may not be necessary if there are refills left. They could just call it in to the pharmacy tonight and have it ready for you for Monday.

HOW expired are they? Most meds are good for at least a year after expiration.

At first, I was thinking this, too. Besides being a possible safety issue, if her licensor shows up for a visit, I'm sure she'd get cited for having an expired medication. (That would be my kind of luck!) I'd definitely refuse to take the child on Monday if the prescriptions aren't refilled.

[Willow]

HOW expired are they? Most meds are good for at least a year after expiration. Parents may be well aware of this, and choosing to wait a while to replace. If it expired in the last 6 months, I would let it go. Longer, I'd ask for new ones. I agree with you, though-these are LIFESAVING medications. I would replace them before they expired were they for MY child, but I am sure they are still safe to use.

Expiration dates are usually somewhat random (I used to work in drug and medical device manufacturing), and are not at all based on when things actually go bad, but rather, are dates that the company will guarantee them good for. Where I worked, our expiration dates were standard XXX years-not based on individual drugs at all.

With your own family it's up to you to walk that line but when it comes to other people's children and licensing requirements medications really aren't anything to be played around with.

I imagine if anything happened and a provide used expired meds they'd definitely be in danger of losing their license, or worse. If expired meds didn't work and the child suffered for that I can imagine there would be parents who would hold the provider liable as well unfortunately.

It's sad, and it wouldn't be right, but that is the society we live in.

[Luna]

I have a dcb who has an epipen and I can't even let him in the door without it and it cannot be expired. Absolutely turn them away at the door.

[Evansmom]

We have an epi for nut allergies. When ours expires all I need to do is place a call to our pedi nurse who calls it in to the pharmacy. Easy peasy. So yes, you are doing the right thing IMHO

[Laurel]

In person communication only also leaves you open to no record of this conversation ever taking place or a he said she said issue. I always speak in person but send some form of written reminder as well. Texts and emails allow you to show the flow of conversation or lack of in some cases.

If this client is turned away on Monday and then tries to not pay for the day even if required to by a contract it is best to have as much supported physical evidence as possible. This is the only reason why I allow texting and emails.

I didn't even think of that aspect. I just know that a note in their bag sometimes is overlooked honestly OR if I forget to tell them something then the note is a backup to me remembering to tell them something.

Laurel

[Unregistered]

I get a call and a note from the school when my son's epi expires. Usually I get 2 weeks notice to expiration dates. This gives me plenty of time each January to have the new epi-pen by Feb 1st. He has nut allergies and he could die so I take NO chances. I do keep the expired ones for 6 months after, in case I have to give more than what the Jr Epi version gives since he's now9yo.

[DaisyMamma]

I have DCB that has a nut allergy and asthma. Both his Epi Pen and Inhaler (only use inhaler if he has a cold) are expired. I sent a note home on Tuesday letting parents know they are expired and that I would need them replaced by the end of the week. Didn't hear a peep from parents. (Not surprised - he leaves in two weeks so I think they are stalling.) I'm sending a note home as well as sending them an email stating that he can't return to care until I receive those or a note from the doctor saying he doesn't need them anylonger.

Okay to do right? Every year when these expire I'm the one asking repeatedly for them.

That's what I would do.

[momofboys]

My son (SA) has an Epi kept at school and lunchroom for him - if they are close to expiration the school will throw them away so we replace during school year if need be - fairly simple. I have no problem doing it although our insurance is kind of funny about it - although we have great medical insurance (most of my scripts are totally free as they are preventative) they make us pay $50:confused: for the Epipen which is for a life-threatening allergy. Doesn't make sense to me & I am happy to refill it as needed (we have never had to use one thankfully) but as a parent it can be costly depending on your insurance.

[momofboys]

Obviously no excuse for them to not replace them - if they want to keep them for home since they are still only a month past expiration fine to do so but send new ones for school/daycare!

[Blackcat31]

Obviously no excuse for them to not replace them - if they want to keep them for home since they are still only a month past expiration fine to do so but send new ones for school/daycare!

I agree. There really is no excuse when it could be a matter of life/death.

I would never ever accept expired meds. If people want to take chances on their own, that's fine but I am pretty sure there are expiration dates for a reason and as someone who has a family member that counts on daily medication to stay alive, I couldn't imagine taking that kind of risk.

A OTC medication, maybe but certainly not one tied directly to staying alive.

[TheGoodLife]

I agree. There really is no excuse when it could be a matter of life/death.

I would never ever accept expired meds. If people want to take chances on their own, that's fine but I am pretty sure there are expiration dates for a reason and as someone who has a family member that counts on daily medication to stay alive, I couldn't imagine taking that kind of risk.

A OTC medication, maybe but certainly not one tied directly to staying alive.

Exactly!