University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
08/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/07/2024 07:11
UWO nursing students learn EpiPen use from parents of teen who died from a bee sting
Matt Olsen, a UW Oshkosh nurse anesthesia student, holds a practice EpiPen during a Do It For Dillon training session.
For anyone allergic, a bee sting can cause serious-and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis reaction-without quick intervention.
Angel and George Mueller, whose 18-year-old son, Dillon, died of an allergic reaction to a bee sting, hold anaphylaxis training Aug. 2 for future nurse anesthetists at UW Oshkosh. They plan to hold a second UWO training Aug. 19.
It's something a Mishicot family knows too well. In 2014, Dillon Mueller, 18, died due to an unknown, undiagnosed bee venom allergy and a lack of epinephrine by volunteer first responders.
The need for a quick response by trained individuals is something faculty and students in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing are taking seriously. Following Mueller's parents' push for more life-saving education, they've joined a growing legion of Wisconsinites who are trained in the use of epinephrine pens and keep the life-saving medication on hand-available should there be a need.Thirty-two participants, mostly students in UWO's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia emphasis program, participated in the first of two training sessions offered at the University. Another UWO session follows Aug. 19.
The Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund was established in 2015 by his parents, Angel and George Mueller, and offers the Do It forDillon certification program for any group that is interested. More than 5,000 people across the state have received free training and are authorized to carry epinephrine, ready to administer to anyone in need.
The Muellers have trained thousands on how to administer epinephrine.
"I attended one of the courses that was held at Bear Creek Fire Department and received my epinephrine carpujects," said Mayka Rambo, a faculty member of the UWO nurse anesthesia emphasis program who said she has a passion for rural health care. "After learning that most rural ambulance services do not carry EpiPens, I thought it would be a great idea for the students to be able to carry their own since they are driving all over the state for clinicals. They may come across a situation that may require them to utilize it."
During a first summer training at UWO, students sat in rapt attention as Angel Mueller's recounted her last moments with her son.
"As I stared down at Dillon in his ICU hospital bed in a coma on life support, I made the decision right then and there that I was going to to everything in my power to make sure that no other family has to endure such tragedy," Mueller said to the students. "You can save someone's life!"
Shocking reaction
On a fall day in October of 2014, Dillon was helping a friend with yard work when he was stung. Within minutes, he asked his friend to call 911before going unconscious. Volunteer first responders did not have epinephrine. After a week of artificial cardiopulmonary support, the family made the difficult decision to let their son pass and improve the lives of others through organ, eye and tissue donation. Dillon's parents decided they would do everything they could to prevent similar situations from happening to another family.
Andrea Sommer, foreground, learns about injecting life-saving epinephrine.
Their dedication led to a team working to create Dillon's Law, allowing trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine auto-injectors. Mueller said since their Do It for Dillon training program began, 15 lives have been saved.
Matt Olsen, a first-year nurse anesthesia student from Reedsburg, was moved by the Mueller story.
"Dillon would have been around the same age as me," had he lived from the bee sting, said Olsen, who had been working as a surgical ICU nurse in St. Paul, Minnesota, before attending UW Oshkosh. "As a healthcare provider, it's good to be able to help people out, in and outside the clinical setting."
Fellow first-year nursing anesthesia student Andrea Sommer of Racine, applauds Dillon's parents efforts in raising awareness that anaphylaxis-a sudden and severe life-threatening allergic reaction-can happen anytime, and that having early treatment with epinephrine could be life-saving. Sommer, who has worked as ICU nurse in Chicago before coming to UWO, said of the Muellers' push to get more people epi-certified, "I think Dillon would be very proud."
The next Do It for Dillon Epinephrine Training Course will be held Aug. 19, 2024 from 3-4:30 p.m. in UWO Clow Nursing Building Rm 151. To RSVP, please email Maya Rambo at [email protected]
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