These rules establish the procedures for an authorized entity to acquire and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for administration to an individual experiencing anaphylaxis.

These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-6.4.

A. Wherever used in this Part, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

1. "Act" means R.I. Gen Laws Chapter 23-6.4, entitled "Life-saving Allergy Medication - Stock Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors - Emergency Administration."

2. “Administer” means the direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual.

3. “Authorized entity” means any entity or organization at, or in connection with, where allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present, as specified in § 5.4.1 of this Part.

4. “Authorized health care provider” means a physician, nurse, or other person duly authorized by law, in the state in which they practice, to prescribe drugs.

5. “Department” means the Rhode Island Department of Health.

6. "Director" means the means the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

7. “Epinephrine auto-injector” means a single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body.

8. “Provide” means the supplying of one or more epinephrine auto-injectors to an individual.

This Part applies to authorized health care providers, pharmacists and authorized entities, as defined by the Act and this Part.

5.4.1 Authorized Entity

A. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-1(2), the Director has determined that the following entities and organizations are considered authorized entities:

1. A food business required to register with the Department on an annual basis pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-10;

2. A pre-school, school, college or university as defined in the Department’s Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Communicable Disease Testing in Preschool, School, Colleges or Universities (216-RICR-30-05-3);

3. A family day care home as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.1-5(5);

4. A place of assembly as specified in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.6;

5. A state or local governmental agency or facility;

6. An organized athletic team, league or association; and

7. A place of employment which provides in-house employee health services.

A. Anaphylaxis training must be completed in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-6.

1. A healthcare provider (e.g., physician, physician assistant, nurse, EMT, etc.) who is currently licensed by the Department, and who has received anaphylaxis training as part of their professional development, is not required to complete this additional training.

5.5.1 Operations Plan Required

A. An authorized entity described in § 5.4.1 of this Part must maintain an Operations plan on the premises and submit the plan to the Department. The plan shall include at a minimum:

1. How the training described in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-6 will be provided.

2. How the epinephrine auto-injectors will be acquired.

3. Name and contact information for the prescribing authorized health care provider.

4. Where and how the epinephrine auto-injectors will be stored.

5. Names of the designated employees and/or agents who have completed the training program and are authorized to administer the epinephrine auto-injectors.

6. Description of the process to allow individuals, other than those trained per R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-6, to be provided the epinephrine auto-injectors via remote authorization by an authorized health care provider, after consultation with the authorized health care provider by audio, tele-video, or other similar means of electronic communication, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-5.

7. How and when the epinephrine auto-injectors will be inspected for an expiration date that has not passed, and how that will be recorded.

8. Description of the process to replace an epinephrine auto-injector that is nearing its expiration date or if one has been administered.

9. Description of the process to report each incident to the Department pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-8.

Authorized entities must comply with the reporting requirements contained in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.4-8 within forty eight (48) hours of the administration of an epinephrine auto injector.