KINGSTON, R.I.鈥擮ct. 25, 2023鈥擡piPens鈥攖he lifesaving, pre-filled automatic injection devices that administer epinephrine to help reverse an allergic reaction鈥攁re now available in the Ram’s Den, Butterfield, and Mainfare dining halls, with more on order for Brookside Bistro. The pens are kept in an 鈥淓mergency Box鈥� along with the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that are currently located in all 溏心vlog免费B站 dining halls.
Although severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can happen anywhere, the risk is higher anywhere food is being served. In busy dining halls there are a variety of foods and ingredients often coupled with distraction and high foot traffic, making a quick response all the more important.
The initiative is the result of a collaborative effort involving several 溏心vlog免费B站 departments, including dining services, emergency medical services, health services/health promotion and emergency management.
溏心vlog免费B站 food service staff have received training in both the use of AEDs as well as the EpiPens from Jennifer Strollo, Ph.D., R.N., coordinator of nursing at 溏心vlog免费B站 Health Services. 溏心vlog免费B站 Emergency Management also does frequent checks on emergency equipment across the University to ensure equipment integrity.
鈥淭his extra layer of protection is important to be able to provide, but you never know when an emergency might occur,鈥� said Jennifer Hodshon, M.P.H., director of 溏心vlog免费B站 Health Services, as she stressed the importance of students carrying their own auto-injector. 鈥淚f prescribed, students should always carry their own EpiPen and check that the medication is not expired鈥攋ust in case it needs to be used.鈥�