New Hampshire § 200-53 - Section 200:53 Definitions.

§ 200-53. Section 200:53 Definitions.

In this subdivision: I. "Administer" means the direct provision of a bronchodilator, spacer, or nebulizer to an individual. II. "Asthma" means a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. For the purpose of this subdivision, "asthma" also includes "reactive airway disease," commonly referred to as RAD. III. "Bronchodilator" means any medication used for the quick relief of asthma symptoms that dilates the airways and is recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's national asthma education and prevention program guidelines for the treatment of asthma, such bronchodilators may include an orally inhaled medication that contains a premeasured single dose of albuterol or albuterol sulfate delivered by a nebulizer (compressor device), or by a pressured metered dose inhaler used to treat respiratory distress, including, but not limited to, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, or another dosage of a bronchodilator recommended in the guidelines for the treatment of asthma. IV. "Designated unlicensed assistive personnel" means a school employee or agent of a school designated by the school nurse, who has completed the New Hampshire School Nurses' Association approved training required to provide or administer bronchodilators, spacers, or nebulizers. Designated unlicensed assistive personnel shall complete an asthma training program prior to providing or administering a bronchodilator, spacer, or nebulizer made available by the school nurse and at least annually following completion of the initial asthma training program. Such training shall be conducted by the school nurse based on resources provided by the New Hampshire School Nurses' Association, the National Association of School Nurses, and the American Lung Association. Training shall be conducted in person and at a minimum shall address techniques on how to recognize symptoms of severe respiratory distress or asthma, and standards and procedures for the storage and administration of a bronchodilator with a spacer or nebulizer. The school nurse shall maintain a current list of those individuals who have successfully completed the asthma training program. V. "Health care practitioner" means a person who is licensed to prescribe, administer, or distribute controlled drugs. VI. "Provide" means to supply a bronchodilator to an individual. VII. "School" means any public or private elementary, middle, junior high, or senior high school. VIII. "School nurse" means a registered nurse (RN) licensed by the New Hampshire board of nursing employed by a school district or a school. IX. "Self-administration" means a student or other person's discretionary use of a bronchodilator, spacer, or nebulizer, whether provided by the student or by a school nurse or designated school personnel pursuant to this subdivision.