Anaphylaxis in Schools 3rd Edition
Anaphylaxis in Schools 3rd Edition
Anaphylaxis in Schools 3rd Edition
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Consensus Statement<br />
General Recommendations<br />
Identification of Individuals at Risk<br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istrators should collect <strong>in</strong>formation about a student’s medical condition at the time of registration.<br />
Ideally, the review of this <strong>in</strong>formation should occur before the new school year as well as before special<br />
activities, such as school field trips. Questions or concerns about changes <strong>in</strong> a child’s condition or<br />
treatment protocol should then be addressed. All school staff, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g supply or substitute teachers and<br />
volunteers, must be aware of students at risk for anaphylaxis, have access to their allergy <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
and anaphylaxis plan (as appropriate), and be <strong>in</strong>structed <strong>in</strong> the proper management strategies <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the correct use of an ep<strong>in</strong>ephr<strong>in</strong>e auto-<strong>in</strong>jector. A process should be <strong>in</strong> place to ensure that all staff<br />
receives regular tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. (See Appendix B: Action Steps for <strong>Anaphylaxis</strong> Management.)<br />
<strong>Anaphylaxis</strong> Plan<br />
A comprehensive written school anaphylaxis plan (“school plan”) should be prepared which def<strong>in</strong>es<br />
roles and responsibilities and <strong>in</strong>cludes <strong>in</strong>formation about avoidance strategies, staff tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, and<br />
emergency protocol. There should be a communication strategy to ensure that the school plan is<br />
understood by the entire school community.<br />
A school anaphylaxis plan serves to reduce the risk of exposure to allergenic substances and helps<br />
school communities prepare for an emergency situation. It should not imply a guarantee (e.g. peanutfree<br />
environment) or that there is zero risk. School communities should strive to create an<br />
environment that is described as ‘allergy-safe’ rather than ‘allergen-free’. The school anaphylaxis<br />
plan should be reviewed and updated on a scheduled basis. (See Appendix C for a sample school<br />
anaphylaxis plan.)<br />
Roles and Responsibilities<br />
<strong>Anaphylaxis</strong> management is a shared responsibility that <strong>in</strong>cludes allergic children, their parents/<br />
guardians, caregivers, and the entire school community.<br />
Parents/Guardians<br />
Parents/guardians should make every effort to teach their allergic children to self-protect. Good safety<br />
habits should be established from an early age. Parents/guardians:<br />
• Must educate the allergic child on avoidance strategies.<br />
• Are responsible for <strong>in</strong>form<strong>in</strong>g the school about the child’s allergies, updat<strong>in</strong>g the school on<br />
any changes (e.g. diagnosis of an additional allergy, outgrow<strong>in</strong>g an allergy), and provid<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
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<strong>Anaphylaxis</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Schools</strong> & Other Sett<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Copyright © 2005-2014 Canadian Society of Allergy and Cl<strong>in</strong>ical Immunology