Anaphylaxis Management Policy

Anaphylaxis Management Policy
File Size:	90 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which is potentially life threatening. It should always be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment. Most cases of anaphylaxis occur after a person with a severe allergy is exposed to the allergen to which they are allergic. The most common allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, seafood, wheat, insect stings or medication.

Aim
The aim of this policy is to not only minimise the risk of an anaphylactic reaction occurring while the child is in the care of the children’s service, but also to ensure staff members respond appropriately to any anaphylactic reaction. Staff must be able to initiate appropriate treatment, including competently administrating an Epi-Pen. The service also aims to raise the community awareness of anaphylaxis and its management through education and policy implementation.

The Nominated Supervisor will ensure:

That all staff members have completed first aid and anaphylaxis management training approved by the Education and Care Services National Regulations at least every 3 years and is recorded, with each staff members’ certificate held on the Service’s premises.
That all staff members, whether or not they have a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis undertakes training in the administration of the adrenaline auto-injection device and cardio- pulmonary resuscitation every 12 months, recording this in the staff records.
Ensure that all staff members are aware of symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, the child at risk of anaphylaxis, the child’s allergies, anaphylaxis action plan and Epi Pen kit.
That a copy of this policy is provided and reviewed during each new staff member’s induction process.
A copy of this policy will be provided to a parent or guardian of each child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis at the service.
Ensure updated information, resources and support is regularly given to families for managing allergies and anaphylaxis.

In services where a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is enrolled the Nominated Supervisor shall also:

Conduct an assessment of the potential for accidental exposure to allergens while child/children at risk of anaphylaxis are in the care of the service and develop a risk minimisation plan for the service in consultation with staff and the families of the child/children
Ensure that no child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injection device is permitted to attend the service without the device
Display an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Inc. (ASCIA) generic poster called Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for each child with a diagnosed risk of anaphylaxis, in key locations at the service, for example, in the children’s room, the staff room or near the medication cabinet
Ensure that a child’s individual anaphylaxis medical management action plan is signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner and inserted into the enrolment record for each child. This will outline the allergies and describe the prescribed medication for that child and the circumstances in which the medication should be used.
Ensure that all staff responsible for the preparation of food are trained in managing the provision of meals for a child with allergies, including high levels of care in preventing cross contamination during storage, handling, preparation and serving of food. Training will also be given in planning appropriate menus including identifying written and hidden sources of food allergens on food labels.
Ensure that a notice is displayed prominently in the main entrance of the children’s service stating that a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is being cared for or educated at the Service.
Ensure that all relief staff members in the Service have completed training in the administration of anaphylaxis management including the administration of an adrenaline auto-injection device, awareness of the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, the child at risk of anaphylaxis, the child’s allergies, the individual anaphylaxis medical management action plan and the location of the auto-injection device kit
Implement the communication strategy and encourage ongoing communication between parents/guardians and staff regarding the current status of the child’s allergies, this policy and its implementation
Display an Emergency contact card by the telephone
Ensure that all staff in the service know the location of the anaphylaxis medical management plan and that a copy is kept with the auto-injection device Kit
Ensure that the staff member accompanying children outside the Service carries the anaphylaxis medication and a copy of the anaphylaxis medical management action plan with the auto-injection device kit.

Staff responsible for the child at risk of anaphylaxis shall:

Ensure a copy of the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan is visible and known to staff in the service
Follow the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan in the event of an allergic reaction, which may progress to anaphylaxis
In the event where a child who has not been diagnosed as allergic, but who appears to be having an anaphylactic reaction a centre EpiPen will be used, providing parents/guardians have agreed to this on the enrolment form. The following will be implemented:

Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000
Commence first aid measures
Contact the parent/guardian
Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted

In the event that a child suffers from an anaphylactic reaction the Service and staff will:

Follow the child’s anaphylaxis action plan.

Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000
Commence first aid measures
Contact the parent/guardian
Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted.

Practice the administration procedures of the adrenaline auto-injection device using an auto-injection device trainer and ‘anaphylaxis scenarios’ on a regular basis, preferably quarterly
Ensure the child at risk of anaphylaxis will only eat food that has been prepared according to the parents or guardians knowledge or direct instructions.
Ensure tables and bench tops are washed down effectively after eating
Ensure hand washing for all children upon arrival at the service and before and after eating. Increase supervision of a child at risk of anaphylaxis on special occasions such as excursions, incursions, parties and family days.
Ask all parents/guardians as part of the enrolment procedure, prior to their child’s attendance at the service, whether the child has allergies and document this information on the child’s enrolment record. If the child has severe allergies, ask the parents/guardians to provide a medical management action plan signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner
Ensure that an anaphylaxis medical management action plan signed by the child’s Registered Medical Practitioner and a complete auto-injection device kit (which must contain a copy the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan) is provided by the parent/guardian for the child while at the service
Ensure that the auto-injection device kit is stored in a location that is known to all staff, including relief staff; easily accessible to adults (not locked away); inaccessible to children; and away from direct sources of heat.
Ensure that the auto-injection device kit containing a copy of the anaphylaxis medical management action plan for each child at risk of anaphylaxis is carried by a staff member accompanying the child when the child is removed from the service e.g. on excursions that this child attends
Regularly check and record the adrenaline auto-injection device expiry date. (The manufacturer will only guarantee the effectiveness of the adrenaline auto-injection device to the end of the nominated expiry month)
Provide information to the service community about resources and support for managing allergies and anaphylaxis

Parents/guardians of children shall:

Inform staff at the children’s service, either on enrolment or on diagnosis, of their child’s allergies
Develop an anaphylaxis risk minimisation plan with service staff
Provide staff with an anaphylaxis medical management action plan signed by the Registered Medical Practitioner giving written consent to use the auto-injection device in line with this action plan
Provide staff with a complete auto-injection device kit
Regularly check the adrenaline auto-injection device expiry date
Assist staff by offering information and answering any questions regarding their child’s allergies
Notify the staff of any changes to their child’s allergy status and provide a new anaphylaxis action plan in accordance with these changes
Communicate all relevant information and concerns to staff, for example, any matter relating to the health of the child
Comply with the service’s policy that no child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injection device is permitted to attend the service or its programs without that device
Read and be familiar with the policy
Identify and liaise with the nominated staff member
Bring relevant issues to the attention of both staff and licensee

Contact details for resources and support:
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), at www.allergy.org.au, provide information on allergies. Their sample Anaphylaxis Action Plan can be downloaded from this site. Contact details for Allergists may also be provided.
Anaphylaxis Australia Inc, at Allergy Facts, is a non-profit support organisation for families with food anaphylactic children. Items such as storybooks, tapes, auto-injection device trainers and so on are available for sale from the Product Catalogue on this site. Anaphylaxis Australia Inc provides a telephone support line for information and support to help manage anaphylaxis. Telephone 1300 728 000.
Royal Children’s Hospital Anaphylaxis Advisory Support Line provides information and support about anaphylaxis to school and licensed children’s services staff and parents.
Telephone 1300 725 911 or Email: Wilma.Grant@rch.org.au
QLD - http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy/anaphylaxis.html
This policy was made with consideration to:
Education and Care National Regulations 2012
Child Care Services Act 2007
Staying Healthy in Childcare
ACEQCA & National Quality Framework
http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/papers/prevent-anaphylaxis-in-schoolschildcare

Date that the policy was last updated or revised: July. Next review date July 2018