Recognition and Treatment of Anaphylaxis in the School Setting

Abstract

Since anaphylaxis is unpredictable, rapid in onset, and potentially life threatening, it is critical for school staff to recognize and respond to its symptoms quickly. The symptoms of anaphylaxis can be challenging to differentiate, particularly in school-age children who may have trouble explaining what they are experiencing. School staff must understand the distinctive ways in which children describe and manifest anaphylactic symptoms, and the school nurse has a key leadership role in providing this training. The school nurse should create and coordinate individualized emergency care/action plans for students with known allergies, as well as a comprehensive care plan for all students, to ensure a safe environment and a rapid response to any life-threatening allergic reaction. This should include having epinephrine stocked and readily accessible so that it can be given promptly in the case of an anaphylactic emergency.

Epinephrine Policies and Protocols Guidance for Schools

“…The workgroup resolved that determination of the presence of an allergen trigger should be the very first step in the protocol since some of the signs and symptoms that indicate anaphylaxis are subtle and could easily be confused with other conditions, such as asthma, cardiac conditions, or viral illnesses (Dinakar, 2012;Schoessler & White, 2013). The front page of the protocol addresses what to do in the presence of a trigger; the back page notes what to do in the absence of an identifiable trigger.…”

“…Schoessler, S. & White, M. (2013).Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in the school setting: The essential role of the school nurse. Journal of School Nursing, 29, 407 -415. doi: 10.1177/1059840513506014 4 NAEPP Suggested Emergency Nursing Protocol for Students with Asthma Symptoms Who Don't Have a Personal Asthma Action Plan at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/resources/lung/sch-emer-actplan.pdf at Monash University on June 5, 2016 nas.sagepub.com Downloaded from…”

Gestão do cuidado seguro da criança alérgica ao leite: a saúde do escolar e suas perspectivas

“…Visitas regulares aos alergistas e prescrição de caneta de adrenalina atualizada (Cabrera et al, 2017;Feuille et al, 2017) foram ações apontadas como medida de segurança para criança, além da necessidade de administração de adrenalina precocemente (Dumeier et al, 2018;Song & Lieberman, 2019;Urrutia-Pereira et al, 2018), que pode ser garantido através de estoque de epinefrina nas escolas (Cabrera et al, 2017;DeSantiago-Cardenas et al, 2015;Moritz & Schoessler, 2018;Portnoy & Shroba, 2014;Schoessler & White, 2013;Steffens et al, 2017;Szychlinski et al, 2015;Tsuang & Wang, 2016;White et al, 2017;Zadikoff et al, 2014) e também pelo porte de auto injetores de adrenalina pelo estudante (Chipps, 2013;Solé et al, 2018).…”

Barriers to the Administration of Epinephrine in Schools

“…Prevention and management of anaphylaxis in the school setting is the shared responsibility of all school personnel . Although the school nurse functions as the leader to coordinate preparation for and response to severe allergic reactions, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all school staff be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and to respond appropriately by initiating emergency protocols .…”

“…Prevention and management of anaphylaxis in the school setting is the shared responsibility of all school personnel. 19 Although the school nurse functions as the leader to coordinate preparation for and response to severe allergic reactions, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all school staff be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and to respond appropriately by initiating emergency protocols. 25 Multiple types of educational interventions, including workshops, didactic presentations, and hands-on demonstrations, have proven to be effective in improving participant knowledge and/or self-efficacy regarding anaphylaxis identification and management.…”