DerrinallumCollege

Anaphylaxis Policy

Prevention:

Immediately following a contamination incident, the child/children at risk should immediately be removed from the classroom by a staff member, and if physical contact was made with the reactor, they are to be taken and under supervision, wash their hands and any other areas of contact.

The pupil is to be taken by the staff member, to the other end of the school, via the office where they are to collect the prescribed medications, and take them with them.

The child’s individual anaphylaxis plan is to be followed. The office staff are to be notified of the incident and call an ambulance.

The pupil’s parents are to be contacted immediately, by the Principal (or nominee), as soon as possible.

In the contaminated classroom, all traces of the contaminate are to be removed.

The staff member and remaining pupils are to clean all surfaces, including tables, chairs and any door handles.

Then all pupils are to wash their hands under supervision.

Rationale:

Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system (eg. Skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, and cardiovascular). A severe allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of exposure to the trigger and can rapidly become life threatening.

The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (eg. Cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to these triggers. Partnerships between schools and parents are important in ensuring that certain foods or items are kept away from the student while at school. Adrenaline given through an EpiPen® autoinjector to the muscle of the outer mid thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

Aims:

  • To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of schooling.
  • To raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management policy in the school community.
  • To engage with parents/carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies.
  • To ensure that each staff member has adequate knowledge about; allergies, anaphylaxis, and the school’s policy and procedures for responding to an anaphylactic emergency.
  • To encourage bus drivers of identified students to be trained in Anaphylaxis management.

Guidelines:

  • Severe Anaphylactic reactions can develop within minutes after exposure to the allergen and require a swift response of adrenaline [EpiPen].
  • Children who have been identified as having a risk of anaphylaxis should be identified by parents/ carers at school enrolment.
  • It is the responsibility of the Principal/ Principal Nominee to meet with parents and class teachers to share the anaphylaxis management plan (based on the advice of the student’s doctor) for their child yearly.
  • All staff shall be made aware of relevant information for all students at risk of anaphylaxis at the first full staff meeting for the year and as part of new staff induction. Any Anaphylaxis updates or new management plans will be shared at Staff Briefings throughout the year as required.
  • Casual Replacement Teachers (CRTs) employed to teach classes where students have been identified as being at risk of anaphylactic reaction will be required to familiarise themselves with the relevant student and the relevant management plan (provided by CRT coordinator).
  • Derrinallum College will endeavour to ensure the canteen, and all college functions involving identified students, are peanut free, and free of peanut by-products.

Implementation:

Parents will be responsible for:

  • Providing information at time of enrolment about their child’s allergies.
  • Providing an Individual Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan (from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Action Plan) for their child that has been developed in consultation with a medical practitioner.
  • Providing one EpiPen for school use.
  • Recording the expiry date of medications placed at school and the timely replacement of those medications/EpiPens.
  • Informing the school if their child’s medical condition changes, and if relevant, providing an updated emergency procedures plan accordingly.

The individual Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plans (ASCIA) provided by parents will:

  • Contain detailed information about diagnosis, including the type of allergy or allergies the student has based on diagnosis by medical practitioner.
  • Provide strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens while the student is under the care/supervision of school staff, for in-school and out-of-school settings such as camps, excursions and special event days.
  • Contain a current photo for the ASCIA Action Plan when it is provided to the school and whenever it is reviewed.
  • Contain current parent emergency contact phone numbers.
  • Provide an explanation of symptoms and directions for action should a reaction occur.
  • Be signed by a medical practitioner who is treating the child on the date of signing the emergency procedure plan and includes an up to date photo of the student.

The ASCIA can be downloaded from

The school will ensure:

  • Individual Anaphylaxis Action Plans will be displayed in all staffrooms, all of the student’s classrooms, the first aid room and the general office. A copy of individual emergency action plans will be placed in excursion/camp folder, CRT booklets.
  • Individual Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plans are reviewed in consultation with parents/carers annually, if conditions change, or immediately after a student has had an anaphylactic reaction at school.
  • The Principal/Principals nominee/ Anaphylaxis trained first aid staff member updates school first aid records in accordance with action plans annually, or if conditions change, or reaction occurs.
  • The CRT coordinator informs CRTs of students at-risk of anaphylaxis in their classes and will provide them with the CRT booklet with reference that includes;

A copy of individual action plans, preventative strategies in place and

School emergency procedures sheet

Their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in their care.

  • At risk students who are under the care or supervision of the school; yard duty, excursions, camps and special events, are provided with a sufficient number of staff present who have current anaphylaxis training.
  • EpiPens are carried by school staff on excursions and camps and are passed from adult to adult.
  • School staff are trained in anaphylaxis risk assessment and management as soon as practicable from the start of the school year.
  • An interim plan is made for any new students enrolled, developed in conjunction with parents and to be replaced by an Individual Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan (ASCIA) developed with their doctor and returned to the office within a week.
  • Induction of new teachers will include anaphylaxis awareness information.
  • Appropriate training will be sought as soon as possible for new staff.
  • Appropriate training will be offered to bus drivers, and they will be encouraged to undertake this training.
  • Staff are briefed once a semester by the Principal/Principals nominee/ anaphylaxis first aid trained staff member on:

Schools anaphylaxis management policy.

The causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis.

The identities of students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and where their medication is stored.

How to use an EpiPen.

The school’s first aid procedures, student emergency management procedures plan (ASCIA) to be followed when responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

  • Anaphylaxis awareness information is provided for the whole school community through the newsletter once per term.
  • Devices and management plan used for the delivery of adrenaline medication (EpiPens) for each Primary students will be kept in a personal (named) first aid bag and kept in the general office. This first aid bag will travel with identified students to specialistsessions such as P.E, Sport, and Art.
  • Extra devices used for the delivery of adrenaline medication (EpiPens) will be held in the General Office (and named), or on the individual person, depending on the age of the child involved.
  • A suitable spare EpiPen must be retained in the office in addition to the one provided or carried by the sufferer.

Response:

  • Care must be provided immediately for any student who develops signs of an anaphylactic reaction and suitable, trained staff contacted immediately.
  • During Class time, stay with the child, lay child down.
  • Either remove the child from the area or the contaminate.
  • Contact made by another staff member or responsible student to office. EpiPenadministered to the child. Office staff to contact emergency service and parents/carers. Move child to First aid room/ principal’s office if safe to do so.
  • At recess or lunchtime, contact made by way of walkie talkie to staffroom/office stating name of child and that an Anaphylaxis reaction is occurring and where on the playground. Stay with the child; lay them down on their side. A staff member will bring the EpiPen and Anaphylaxis Management plan. Office staff will contact emergency service. Administer EpiPen. Move child to First Aid room/principal’s office if safe to do so. Stay with child. Office staff will contact parents/ carers
  • Children suffering an anaphylactic reaction should be treated in accordance with their individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan.

School staff will follow these prevention strategies:

  • Know students in the school who are at risk and be familiar with their individual management plans and have up-to-date training in anaphylaxis management.
  • Explain and enforce No Food Sharing.
  • Have regular discussions with students about the importance of washing hands, eating their own food and not sharing food with others.
  • Send parent permission notices home to parents/carers of identified students if they are to be involved, about food related activities ahead of time including a list of ingredients to be used. Whole school activities, which involve food, should always be handled in a controlled manner and must consider the guidelines and implementation principles of this policy.
  • Send parent permission notices home to parents/carers of identified students if they are to be involved, about classroom activities that may pose a risk to students with anaphylaxis, eg. Hatching eggs.
  • Ensure that treats from outside sources are not given to students in close contact with identified students.
  • Be aware of hidden allergens of ingredients used for cooking, science and technology or art classes eg. Egg or milk cartons.
  • Know where medication for at risk students is stored and how to use it.

Evaluation.

The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored regularly and reviewed annually.

This policy was last ratified by school council in...

Derrinallum College Anaphylaxis PolicyPage 1