Transcript Severe Allergic Reactions - Management and Treatment of

Management and treatment
of students with anaphylaxis
Information for Education Queensland
employees
What is anaphylaxis?
• the most severe and sudden form of allergic
reaction
• occurs when there is exposure to an allergen
to which a person is sensitive
• is potentially life threatening and should be
treated as a medical emergency
Most common allergens
for school-aged children
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peanuts
tree nuts
egg
cow’s milk
sesame
fish
• shell fish
• soy
• insect stings and
bites
• latex
• certain medications
Facts about peanut allergy
• increasingly common particularly in children
• seen in approximately 1 in 50 children and 1 in
200 adults
• allergy most likely to cause anaphylaxis and
death
• 1/2000th of a single peanut can cause an
allergic reaction
Symptoms and signs of
anaphylaxis
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difficulty and/or noisy breathing
swelling of the tongue
swelling or tightness in the throat
difficulty talking or hoarse voice
wheeze or persistent cough
dizzy/light headed
loss of consciousness and/or collapse
pale and floppy (young child)
Potentially life threatening
• allergic reactions can produce such severe
swelling of the airways that suffocation and
death may occur within minutes
• reactions to foods can occur through:
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ingestion
skin or eye contact
inhalation of food particles
Symptoms and signs of a mild
to moderate allergic reaction
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tingling of the mouth
hives, welts or body redness
swelling of the face, lips and eyes
vomiting, abdominal pain
Managing and treating
students with anaphylaxis
• Action Plan for Anaphylaxis to be provided to
school by the parent/caregiver
• must be signed by a medical practitioner
• plan provides details on how manage an
allergic reaction and how to deal with a severe
allergic reaction including appropriate
emergency response
Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
www.allergyfacts.org.au/PDF/anaphylaxis_plan_(child)_au.pdf
Where do I find a student’s
Action Plan for Anaphylaxis?
• copies of plans placed in appropriate locations
across the school to alert staff
• copy of plan also stored with student’s
emergency medication (EpiPen)
Training for staff
• range of staff must undergo training in use of
EpiPen or EpiPen Junior
• how many staff depends on numbers of
students diagnosed, variety of activities
students engage in and level of associated
risk
Administering EpiPen or
EpiPen Junior
Instructions from Action Plan for Anaphylaxis —
www.allergyfacts.org.au/PDF/anaphylaxis_plan_(child)_au.pdf
EpiPen and EpiPen Junior
• use of EpiPen will only ‘buy time’ while waiting
for ambulance
• fast acting but has short duration of effect
Emergency treatment
procedures
• For students WITH an Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
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follow emergency response on Action Plan
if plan indicates use of EpiPen, trained staff if possible
should administer, however ALL staff have a duty of care
call an ambulance – ring 000
if unconscious commence CPR
contact parents/caregivers
maintain airway, breathing and circulation
maintain close observation
Emergency treatment
procedures
• For students WITHOUT an Action Plan for
Anaphylaxis
call an ambulance
• lay person flat and elevate legs if dizzy, confused
or if have reduced level of consciousness, unless
more difficult to breath
• if unconscious commence CPR
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Reducing the risk in the
school setting
• although possible to minimise students’
exposure to allergens, implementation of
blanket food bans or attempts to prohibit entry
not supported
• schools must not make claims they are
‘peanut/tree nut free’ school
Strategies to minimise students’
exposure to potential allergens
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school
classroom
tuckshop
parents
Role of principal
• inform school community about management and treatment of
anaphylaxis
• obtain Action Plan for Anaphylaxis from parents
• ensure EpiPen or other medication is stored properly and
securely but not locked in a cupboard or room
• ensure staff know who carries own EpiPen and conditions of use
• provide staff with a copy of guidelines and ensure they view
PowerPoint
• ensure staff know about individual student’s severe allergy
• range of staff undergone training in use of EpiPen
• students at risk of anaphylaxis given every opportunity to
participate in a full range of school activities
Role of parent/caregiver
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inform principal in writing that their child is at risk of anaphylaxis
notify in writing any advice from medical practitioner
provide school with Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
provide written notification for school to administer EpiPen or
assist a child to administer
provide the EpiPen to school
notify school if child is to carry own EpiPen and negotiate
conditions
ensure EpiPen is clearly labelled and not out of date
replace EpiPen when it expires or is used
Points to remember
• Anaphylaxis is potentially life threatening
• Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for each student
reduces the risk
• Know the students in the school and know
what triggers their severe allergy
• Know the emergency treatment procedures
• Ask for help if unsure!
For more information
• Education Queensland
www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy
• Queensland Health
www.health.qld.gov.au/
• Anaphylaxis Australia Incorporated
www.allergyfacts.org.au
• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology
and Allergy (ASCIA)
www.allergy.org.au