References:

Anaphylaxis Management POLICY

1. BACKGROUND

1.1. Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.

1.2. The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), prevention of exposure to these triggers and an ongoing partnership and regular communication between the school and parents

1.3. Adrenaline given through an autoinjector (eg; EpiPen® ) to the muscle of the outer mid thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

1.4. Quarry Hill Primary School fully complies with Ministerial Order 706 and the associated guidelines published and amended by the Department from time to time.

2. PURPOSE

2.1. 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 the student’s schooling.

2.2. To raise awareness in the school community about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management, including an allergy aware school.

2.3. To engage with parents/carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for the student.

2.4. To ensure that each staff member has adequate knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the school’s policy and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

IMPLEMENTATION

3. INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT PLANS

3.1. The principal will ensure that an individual management plan is developed, (sample attached) in consultation with the student’s parents, for every student who has been diagnosed by a medical practitioner as being at risk of anaphylaxis.

3.2. The individual anaphylaxis management plan will be in place as soon as practicable after the student enrols, and where possible before their first day of school.

3.3. The individual anaphylaxis management plan will set out the following:

3.3.1. The type of allergy or allergies the student has (based on a diagnosis from a medical practitioner).

3.3.2. The student’s emergency contact details

3.3.3. Strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens, for in-school and out of school settings including:

During school activities

During lunch, recess and other snack times

Before and after school, in the school yard & during breaks

For special events such as incursions, excursions, sports days, class parties and camps

References:

Information on where the student’s medication will be stored – at QHPS, all autoinjector (epipens) will be stored with a photo of the child in an individual cooler bag in the first aid room. A generic epipen will be stored in a cooler bag in the office.

The name of the person/s responsible for implementing the strategies

The Anaphylaxis Management Plan will also include as ASCIA Action Plan, which sets out the emergency procedures to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction

3.4. The student’s individual management plan will:

3.4.1. Be developed in consultation with the student’s parents/ carers

3.4.2. Be formulated using the DEECD Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Victorian Government Schools

3.4.3. Be reviewed:

annually, and as applicable,

if the student’s condition changes, or

immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at school

3.5. ASCIA ACTION PLAN will:

3.5.1. Be provided by the parent/carer

3.5.2. Set out the emergency procedures to be taken in the event of an allergic reaction;

3.5.3. Be signed by a medical practitioner who is treating the child; and

3.5.4. Include an up to date photograph of the student in school uniform

Note: The red and blue ‘ASCIA Action Plan’ is the most common form of emergency procedures plan that is provided by medical practitioners to parents when a child is diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis.

These plans and auto adrenaline device need to be at school on first day of enrolment. A student without an ASCIA plan and device and is known to have a severe allergy causing anaphylaxis will not be permitted to stay.

Copies of the ASCIA Action Plan’s will be kept in the student’s classroom, on the staffroom wall, in specialist classrooms, first aid room, office, in the after school care building & with the student’s epipen

3.6. It is the responsibility of the student’s parent to:

3.6.1. consult with the teacher when notified about forthcoming activities related to food preparation and/or consumption and, if requested by the teacher, provide a “classroom treat box” for their child;

3.6.2. support their child to progressively develop self-management strategies to reduce potential exposure to allergens;

3.6.3. inform alternative carers of the school’s requirements regarding anaphylaxis management.

3.6.4. Check contents of student medical kits at the conclusion of each term and make replacements if necessary

3.7. The emergency procedures plan

3.6.1 All students with an anaphylaxis management plan will have their details & a recent photograph included on small cards on a ring to accompany yard duty teacher bum bags.

3.6.2 Cards will include emergency procedures to be taken in the case of an allergic reaction

3.6.3 Anaphylactic students cards will have “Go to the first aid room and get autoinjector (eg; EpiPen® )”

3.6.4 All classroom doors have red anaphylaxis cards on them to be used in case of emergency. In the event of an allergic reaction in the classroom a student can run to the office with the card for assistance.

References:

3.8. It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to:

3.8.1. Engage in communication with the parent and be part of the consultation process in developing the Individual Management Plan

3.8.2. discuss the topic of anaphylaxis with students in the class, including the following key messages:

always take food allergies seriously – severe allergies are no joke

don’t share your food with friends who have food allergies

wash your hands after eating

know what your friends are allergic to

if a schoolmate becomes sick, get help immediately

be respectful of a schoolmate’s EpiPen®

don’t pressure your friends to eat food that they are allergic to.

3.9. It is important to be aware that some students at risk of anaphylaxis may not want to be singled

out or be seen to be treated differently – this will be negotiated when developing the Individual Management Plan with student safety being our priority at all times.

3.10 The school will complete an anaphylaxis management checklist annually in accordance with Ministerial Order 706

4. COMMUNICATION PLAN

The principal will ensure that all staff, students and parents are aware of the risks associated with anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management policy.

The communication plan will include information about what steps will be taken to respond to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in a classroom, in the school yard, on school excursions, on school camps and special event days.

Volunteers and casual relief staff of students at risk of anaphylaxis will be informed about the students at risk of anaphylaxis and their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in their care by The Principal or Principal’s delegate. Information regarding these students will be included in a one page document given to all Casual Relief Teachers.

4.1. Communication with Staff All staff will be briefed/reminded once each semester by one of the School Anaphylaxis Supervisors (two)-

4.1.1. the school’s anaphylaxis management policy

4.1.2. the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis

4.1.3. the identities of students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and where their medication is located

4.1.4. how to use an auto-adrenaline injecting device

4.1.5. the school’s first aid and emergency response procedures

4.1.6. All staff will wear a bright coloured vest on yard duty to identify them in case of an emergency.

4.2. Communication with Parents of Children at Risk of Anaphylaxis

4.2.1. As part of the school’s Anaphylaxis Management Plan an individual Management Plan, updated annually, will be developed for each child in consultation with their parent and regular communication will be maintained between the parents, classroom teacher and Principal;

4.2.2. For cooking activities, a copy of the recipe will be sent home the day before the activity is due to be held. The parent will alert the teacher if the recipe includes any allergens.

4.2.3. Where deemed necessary a communication book may be set up to communicate daily activities and monitor and record any allergic reactions.

4.3. Communication with the School Community

References:

4.3.1. QHPS communicates with the school community about the management of anaphylaxis in a number of ways. These include:

4.3.2. Policy and risk minimisation strategies provided to all new staff

4.3.3. New families receive the school’s policy on enrolment

4.3.4. Following approval from the affected child’s parent, a letter is sent to all parents of students in a class with a child at risk of anaphylaxis

4.3.5. Educate the school community at large about how they can assist with the “allergy-aware” policy

4.3.6. All classrooms with a student with anaphylaxis or severe allergies will have a sign on the door indicating “This classroom has a student with anaphylaxis”

4.3.7. Reminder snippets in the school newsletter at least once a term

4.4 Communication with Students at the School As part of each year level’s Term One Information Session, teaching staff will:

Reinforce with students and the parents the items deemed to cause allergic reactions.

provide an overview of the children at risk of anaphylaxis

outline the school’s strategies to reduce triggers (allergens)

inform parents of their role in helping to reduce allergens in the school environment

5. STAFF TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Every two years all Staff must have up to date training in an anaphylaxis management e-training course.

This includes:

All classroom and specialist teachers;

the Outside School Hours Coordinator;

the Business Manager & Education Support Staff; and

the Principal

In accordance with the department guidelines Quarry Hill Primary School will have:-

two staff members have currency in the course in Verifying the Correct Use of Adrenaline Autoinjector Devices 22303Vic (every 3 years) and the ASCIA Anaphylaxis e-training for Victorian Schools (every 2 years)

all other staff trained in the ASCIA Anaphylaxis e-training for Victorian Schools (every 2 years) and be verified by one of the two staff members trained in verifying the correct use of adrenaline autoinjector devices

At other times while the student is under the care or supervision of the school, including excursions, yard duty, camps and special event days, the principal must ensure that there is a sufficient number of staff present who have up to date training in an anaphylaxis management training course.

The principal will ensure that all staff identified in the dot points above participates in an anaphylaxis management training course as stipulated. Training of casual staff will be based on a risk assessment undertaken by the Principal.

The school’s first aid procedures and each student’s emergency procedures plan (ASCIA Action Plan) will be followed according to the staff training procedure when responding to an anaphylactic reaction, including calling an Ambulance.

WHEN TREATING AN ANAPHYLACTIC EPISODE, IN THE EVENT OF AN EPIPEN MISFIRING, STAFF AT QHPS WILL USE THE SPARE EPIPEN PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL.

References:

Date Implemented

Author Narelle Jones

Approved By School Council

Date Reviewed September 2016

Responsible for Review First Aid Officer

Review Date September 2017

References

References:

Anaphylaxis Management Plan 201x This Plan is to be completed by the principal or nominee on the basis of information from the student’s medical practitioner

provided by the parent/carer

Student’s name:

Date of birth: Year level: Ambulance Cover Y/N

Severely allergic to:

Other Allergens:

Other health conditions:

Medication at school:

Adrenaline auto injector Epipen

Location of Anaphylaxis Action Plan:

Classroom, Staff Room, front of all roles

Medical practitioner contact:

Emergency care to be provided at school:

Anaphylaxis: Auto injector pen (epipen)

Please call parent to advise of this situations immediately

Parent/carer contact: Parent/carer information (1) Parent/carer information (2)

Name: Name:

Relationship: Relationship:

Home phone:

Work Phone:

Home phone:

Mobile: Mobile:

Address:

References:

Medication Storage:

Epipen in staff room, easily accessible by all staff

Generic Epipen located in office

The following Anaphylaxis Management Plan has been developed with my knowledge and input and will be reviewed in February 2015.

Signature of parent: Date:

Signature of principal (or nominee): Date:

FOOD RISK / PRESENTATION

PREVENTION TREATMENT

References:

Anaphylaxis Management Plan

Risk Analysis

Student’s name:

Date of birth: Year level:

Severe allergies:

Other Allergens:

Sources of Exposure Risk Minimisation Strategies

Lunch boxes

Hands

Spillages

Drink bubblers

Litter and food scraps

Shared classroom resources – eg.

Pencils, pens, books

Students who have peanuts need to sit away

from student in order to reduce the risk of

cross contamination. All children need to wash

hands after eating.

Hand washing to be encouraged at all times;

after snacks, meals and art activities

No swapping or sharing of food, food utensils

and food containers

Classroom benches to be wiped down where

the children have eaten daily and carpet

vacuumed four times a week as per cleaning

schedule and as needed.

Student to only eat lunches and snacks that

have been prepared at home.

Student’s lunch box and drink bottles to be

clearly labeled.

The use of food and food packaging in arts,

crafts, cooking classes and science

experiments may need to be restricted; consult

with parent.

Any spillages / litter to be attended to

immediately

Consult with parent re excursions

References:

Anaphylaxis Management Plan

Prevention Strategies Scenario

Strategy Who:?

Classroom - Entering the school environment / Hygiene practices

Ensure each child in student’s class washes hands after eating

Classroom Teacher Parents Students

Appropriate hygiene procedures and practices to be used to minimise the risk of contamination of furniture, flooring, books and other classroom resources

Classroom Teacher

Student’s ASCIA Action Plan is displayed together with accessible medical kit

Classroom Teacher

Snack / Lunch-time All children are regularly reminded of the importance of no food sharing

Staff / parents Students

Children are encouraged to wash hands after eating

Staff / parents Students

Children are encouraged to report any spillages and dispose of litter correctly

Staff Students

Any food spillages/waste is attended to immediately

Staff Students

When using water bubblers, children are encourage to allow water to run over bubbler before drinking from it; and not to put their mouth directly on the bubbler.

Staff / parents Students

Student’s lunch box and drink bottles to be clearly labelled by name.

Parent

Sufficient staff on yard duty are trained in the administration of Adrenaline auto-injector device to be able to respond quickly if needed. All staff on yard duty wear florescent vests and carry a bag with a ring of photos identifying students with anaphylaxis.

Staff

Student’s medical kit is easily accessible from the yard during these times; there is one in the staffroom. All staff have a key to access all classrooms.

Staff

Staff on yard duty use a card system to notify office/ first aid team of an anaphylactic reaction in the yard.

All Staff

Student is not to be involved in any yard duty/ picking up rubbish or food scraps

All Staff

Any special lunch day activities in the quadrangle are cleaned immediately after the event

Staff / Parents

Party, celebration, special event, special lunch day

Provide adequate notice to family Staff

Ensure that Student only has food provided by parent

Staff

Parent to provide safe treat alternative, where applicable

Parent

Cooking activities Teacher to liaise with parent for approval; Classroom Teacher

References:

alternative program organised if necessary Parent

Music activities Pay attention to hygiene practices if using any wind instruments

Classroom Teacher

Art and Craft Activities Teacher to liaise with parent for approval; alternative program organised if necessary

Classroom Teacher Parent

Excursions / sport and other special days

Teacher to carry student’s medical kit on these special days containing student’s auto injector devices. The school’s excursion first aid kit also contains an auto injector

Teacher

Teacher to carry mobile phone for emergency contact if required when away from school

Teacher

No food to be eaten during transport Teacher Students

Staff must develop an emergency procedure that sets out clear roles and responsibilities in the event of an anaphylactic reaction

All Staff

Parent may wish to accompany their child on these days. This should be discussed with parent as another strategy for supporting the student.

Appropriate hygiene procedures and practices to be used to minimise the risk of contamination of furniture, flooring, books and other classroom resources

Classroom Teacher

Parent to provide second epipen for excursions/camps

Parent

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