Allergies/Anaphylaxis

Emergency Action Plan | Information from Parent Request form | Food Allergies

Anaphylaxis and EpiPen (Epinephrine) Injection Information
In the School Setting
Seaman USD #345

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal condition. Causes range from bee stings to drugs, foods, and exercise, in which a foreign protein or allergy entering the body causes life threatening respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms which may likely result in death if immediate action is not taken by administration of EpiPen Injection.
Onset is usually sudden, however a delayed reaction may occur hours after the initial reaction. Treatment consists of airway maintenance and support of the blood pressure with fluid expanders, epinephrine, and oxygen. Prevention is the most important part of anaphylaxis management. In students with known allergies, self-administration of epinephrine plays a key role in reducing mortality.

For evaluation of potential for allergic reaction in the school setting the school nurse will:

1.	Review all health histories of students entering the Seaman USD #345 School District assessing their asthma and allergy history. For those health histories that have noted an allergy to bee sting, drug, food and/or exercise the “Seaman USD #345 Allergies and Anaphylaxis Information from Parent Request” should be sent home with the student.
2.	Phone calls should be made to parents whose child’s health history indicates a positive history for severe allergy reaction and they should be encouraged to discuss this with their health care provider to assess the need for EpiPen at school.
3.	If EpiPen is prescribed by the health care provider it should be accompanied with specific orders and completion of the “Emergency Action Plan for Allergies with Potential for Anaphylaxis” form. Use of subcutaneous epinephrine (EpiPen) requires an immediate call to 911 and notification of parents/guardians.
4.	An Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) should be completed by the school nurse. The IHP, “Emergency Action Plan for Allergies with Potential for Anaphylaxis” and the student’s Health File Folder flow sheet should be copied and placed into a red folder and stored with the student’s health folder to be given to emergency personnel in the event EpiPen has been administered.
5.	The school nurse should communicate to pertinent school personnel health information about the potential allergic reaction (ie. food service, PE teacher, classroom teacher, school administrator, etc.).
	For more information about food allergies www.foodallergy.org.