Saint Mary MacKillop Primary School is committed to providing, as far as is practicable, a safe, supportive environment, in which students at risk of anaphylaxis, can participate equally in all aspects of their schooling.
The school is also committed to the provision of competent and prompt emergency care, to ensure the health and optimum outcome of all students who may experience an anaphylactic reaction, whether on or off school premises. The key prevention of anaphylaxis in school is the knowledge of students who are at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens) and prevention of exposure to these allergens.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction, that is potentially life threatening. Although allergic reactions are common among children, severe reactions are uncommon and death is rare. However, deaths have occurred and anaphylaxis must be treated as a medical emergency at all times.
The most common allergens in school age children are nuts (all varieties), eggs, cow’s milk, fish and shell fish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and some medication. Anaphylaxis is treated with adrenaline, which is given as an injection, known as an EPIPEN. This pen is injected in to the muscle of the outer mid-thigh.
To raise awareness of anaphylaxis and the school’s Anaphylaxis Management Policy within the school community
To ensure all staff have adequate knowledge of anaphylaxis, allergens (triggers) and the school’s policy and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction. To engage with parents/guardians of students who are at risk of anaphylaxis, in assessing risks and developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for each individual student.
- To provide prompt and competent care to all students who may be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction
- To proactively seek information about severe allergies from parents / guardians
- To ensure all staff know the identity of all students who are at risk of anaphylaxis
- To ensure all staff are aware of the location of all Epipens
- To provide staff with training in how to recognise and respond to an anaphylactic reaction, including the administration of an Epipen. This is to be done annually and be provided to all new staff.
- Provide information to staff, students and parents / guardians, to raise awareness of severe allergies and the school’s policy
- To provide alternative plans, in consultation with parents / guardians, for students on camps, excursions and off-campus sporting events.
- All students’ Epipens and ASCIA (Australian Society of Clinical immunology and Allergy Inc.) Action Plans for anaphylaxis, will be kept and displayed in the Health Centre. All Epipens are clearly labelled and stored in labelled pigeon holes in a clear view for all staff
- A copy of individual student’s ASCIA (Australian Society of Clinical immunology and Allergy Inc.) Action Plan is to be displayed in their classroom.
- A list of students who are anaphylactic and their photos will be displayed in the staffroom, canteen (inside a lockable cupboard for privacy) and, where necessary, throughout the school
- Each Action / Care Plan is developed and signed by the child’s practitioner or allergy specialist, and displays a current photo
- All Epipens will be checked at the beginning and end of each term for expiration date and cloudiness of the fluid. Parents / Guardians will be notified by phone one month prior to expiration. It is the parents’ /carers’ responsibility to provide an up to date Epipen.
- Training will be provided to all staff in how to recognise and respond to an anaphylactic reaction, understand the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis and where Epipens are located
- The school will keep an up to date register of students at risk of anaphylaxis and their emergency contact details. This is based on the provision that parents / guardians provide up to date information
- ASICA Action / Care Plans will be updated annually as well as recent photos of the students
- The nurse will work with staff to develop strategies to raise staff, student and community awareness about allergies and prevention strategies
- The school will encourage ongoing communication between parents / guardians, the school staff and primarily, the school nurse, about the current status of the students’ allergies, the school policies and their implementation. The policy will be made available to all families so that they are informed of the role of the school, the role of the nurse and the expectations of families.
- When a student is off campus for an excursion, camp or sporting event, the Teacher-in-Charge will be required to sign the students Epipen out of the Health Centre, along with their ASCIA Action / Care Plan, and then sign it back into the Health Centre on their return.
- At the end of the school year, the parent / guardian must also sign out their child’s Epipen and sign it back in on return in the next academic year.
ASCIA Action / Care Plan requirements:
- Childs full name, date of birth and grade
- Current photo
- Known allergies
- Parents / Carers contact details, primarily emergency numbers
- Doctors name, signature and date
- Any medication required and / or type of Epipen
- Any additional information
In addition to the ASCIA Action / Care Plan, individual care plans will be written for each child. This will be done in consultation with the child’s parents / guardians, with a focus on: reducing the risk of exposure to triggers; planned emergency treatment that is relevant to each child; and, an emphasis on education within each child’s class room as well as, the school community, in raising awareness of anaphylaxis.
STRATEGIES TO AVOID ALLERGIES