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Anaphylaxis

epipenPolicy Statement

Values

One World Children’s Centre believes that the safety and wellbeing of children who are at risk of anaphylaxis is a whole-of-community responsibility. One world Children’s Centre is committed to:

Purpose

The aim of this policy is to:

Scope

The Children’s Services Act 1996 requires proprietors of licensed children’s services to have an anaphylaxis management policy in place. This policy will be required whether or not there is a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis enrolled at the centre.  It will apply to children enrolled at the centre, their parents/guardians, staff and licensee as well as to other relevant members of the service community, such as volunteers and visiting specialists.  The Children’s Services Regulations 2009 include the matters to be included in the policy, practices and procedures related to anaphylaxis management and staff training.

Background and legislation

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.  Up to two per cent of the general population and up to five per cent (0-5years) of children are at risk.  The most common causes in young children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow milk, sesame, bee or other insect stings and some medications.

Young children may not be able to express the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

A reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but with planning and training, a reaction can be treated effectively by using an adrenaline auto-injection device.

The licensee recognises the importance of all staff/carers responsible for the child/ren at risk of anaphylaxis undertaking training that includes preventative measures to minimise the risk of an anaphylactic reaction, recognition of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and emergency treatment, including administration of an adrenaline auto-injection device.

Staff /carers and parents/guardians need to be made aware that it is not possible to achieve a completely allergen-free environment in any service that is open to the general community.  Staff /carers should not have a false sense of security that an allergen has been eliminated from the environment.  Instead the licensee recognises the need to adopt a range of procedures and risk minimisation strategies to reduce the risk of a child having an anaphylactic reaction, including strategies to minimise the presence of the allergen in the service.

Legislation

Children’s Services Act 1996

Children’s Services Regulations 2009

Health Act 1958

Health Records Act 2001

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Definitions

Anaphylaxis: A severe, rapid and potentially fatal allergic reaction that involves the major body systems, particularly breathing or circulation systems.

Anaphylaxis medical management action plan: a medical management plan prepared and signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner providing the child’s name and allergies, a photograph of the child and clear instructions on treating an anaphylactic episode.  An example of this is the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan.

Anaphylaxis management training: accredited anaphylaxis management training that has been recognised by the Secretary of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and includes strategies for anaphylaxis management, recognition of allergic reactions, risk minimisation strategies, emergency treatment and practise using a trainer adrenaline auto-injection device.

Adrenaline auto-injection device: A device containing a single dose of adrenaline, delivered via a spring-activated needle, which is concealed until administered.

EpiPen®: This is one form of an auto-injection device containing a single dose of adrenaline, delivered via a spring-activated needle, which is concealed until administered.  Two strengths are available, an EpiPen® and an EpiPen Jr®, and are prescribed according to the child’s weight.  The EpiPen Jr® is recommended for a child weighing 10-20kg.  An EpiPen® is recommended for use when a child is in excess of 20kg.

Anapen®. Is another adrenaline auto injection device containing a single dose of adrenaline, recently introduced to the Australian market.

NB: The mechanism for delivery of the adrenaline in Anapen® is different to EpiPen®.

Adrenaline auto-injection device training: training in the administration of adrenaline via an auto-injection device provided by allergy nurse educators or other qualified professionals such as doctors, first aid trainers, through accredited training or through the use of the self paced trainer CD ROM and trainer auto-injection device.

Children at risk of anaphylaxis: those children whose allergies have been medically diagnosed and who are at risk of anaphylaxis.

Auto-injection device kit: An insulated container, for example an insulated lunch pack containing a current adrenaline auto-injection device, a copy of the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan, and telephone contact details for the child’s parents/guardians, the doctor/medical service and the person to be notified in the event of a reaction if the parent/guardian cannot be contacted.  If prescribed an antihistamine may be included in the kit.

Procedure

The Licensee shall:

1. In all children’s services :

2. In services where a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is enrolled the licensee shall also:

Parents of children shall:

Related documents

Related documents at the service:

Evaluation

The licensee shall:

Schedule 1- Risk minimisation plan

The following procedures have been developed in consultation with the parent or guardian and implemented to help protect the child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis from accidental exposure to food allergens:

In relation to the child at risk:

In relation to other practices at the centre:

Schedule 2 - Enrolment Check list for Children at Risk of Anaphylaxis

Schedule 3 - Risk Minimisation Plan for Anaphylaxis

How well has the children’s service planned for meeting the needs of children with allergies who are at risk of anaphylaxis?

1. Who are the children?

2. What are they allergic to?

3. Does everyone recognise the at risk children?

 

Do families and staff know how the service manages the risk of anaphylaxis?

Do all staff know how the children’s service aims to minimise the risk of a child being exposed to an allergen?

Do relevant people know what action to take if a child has an anaphylactic reaction?

How effective is the service’s risk minimisation plan?

Possible exposure scenarios and strategies

Scenario

Strategy

Who

Food is provided by the children’s service and a food allergen is unable to be removed from the service’s menu (for example milk)

Menus are planned in conjunction with parents of at risk child/ren and food is prepared according to parents instructions.

Alternatively the parent provides all of the food for the at risk child.

Cook, Primary Nominee, Parent

 

 

Ensure separate storage of foods containing allergen

Licensee & Cook,

 

Cook and staff observe food handling, preparation and serving practices to minimise the risk of cross contamination.  This includes hygiene of surfaces in kitchen and children’s eating area, food utensils and containers.

Cook & Staff

 

There is a system in place to ensure the at risk child is served only the food prepared for him/her.

Cook, Staff

 

An at risk child is served and consumes their food at a place considered to pose a low risk of contamination from allergens from another child’s food.  This place is not separate from all children and allows social inclusion at mealtimes.

Staff

 

Children are regularly reminded of the importance of no food sharing with the at risk child.

Staff

 

Children are supervised during eating.

Staff

Party or celebration

Give plenty of notice to families about the event.

Primary Nominee

Qualified Staff

 

Ensure the at risk child only has the food approved by his/her parent/guardian.

Staff

Protection from insect sting allergies

Specify play areas that are lowest risk to the at risk child and encourage him/her and peers to play in the area.

Staff

 

Decrease the number of plants that attract bees.

Licensee

 

Ensure the at risk child wears shoes at all times outdoors.

Staff

 

Quickly manage any instance of insect infestation.  It may be appropriate to request exclusion of the at risk child during the period required to eradicate the insects.

Licensee

Latex allergies

Avoid contact with latex gloves.

Staff

Cooking with children

Ensure parents/ guardians of the at risk child are advised well in advance and included in the planning process.  Parents may prefer to provide the ingredients themselves.

Staff

Contact details for resources and support

Training

Source

www.education.vic.gov.au/anaphylaxis

Revised May 2010, Published by the Victorian Government Department Education and Early Childhood Development, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia