Policies & Procedures. Anaphylaxis. St Peter s Woodlands Grammar School A Co-educational Anglican Primary School ABN

Transcription

1 Policies & Procedures Anaphylaxis St Peter s Woodlands Grammar School A Co-educational Anglican Primary School ABN Ratified: September 2011 Review: September 2016

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3 Introduction The purpose of this policy is to put procedures in place which minimise the risk of an anaphylactic reaction occurring while a child is in our care and provide, as far as practicable, a safe and healthy environment in which children at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the children s program and experiences Anaphylactic reactions can be life threatening. We have students enrolled at SPW who are anaphylactic. Some children can have allergic reactions to a number of situations, frequently to nuts/ nut products. It is recognised that it is impossible to effectively ban the many products that have traces of nuts, or to ensure that all parents and caregivers will comply with these requirements. This policy sets out procedures to minimise the risk to anaphylactic students. It is also impossible to guarantee compliance with this policy by all parents/guardians and there will be times when other people prepare lunches for students, therefore the school s procedures will minimise the risk to anaphylactic students. Definition Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. The most common causes in young children are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow milk, bee or other insect stings, and some medications. Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure and can progress rapidly over a period of up to two hours or more and always require an emergency response. Fortunately anaphylactic reactions are uncommon and usually preventable. 1.0 Procedures 1.1 Obtaining medical information Medical information will be at the time of enrolment of children and repeated annually, including allergies. Following identification of children with allergies, parents will be requested to provide documentation, such as an ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan, which has been provided by a registered medical practitioner which will include the following; Clear identification of the child (photo) Documentation of the allergic triggers Documentation of the first aid response including any prescribed medication Identification and contact details of the doctor who has signed the action plan. Identification: signed Anaphylaxis Action Plan containing photo identification of the child is considered sufficient. The identification of children by Medic Alert bracelets or other forms of distinction is not considered mandatory. As food allergies may change with time it is important that we ensure that the medical information is reviewed annually. 1.2 School/Staff All staff associated with anaphylactic students will be made aware of the students conditions and requirements. Staff will be provided with professional development as required, including instructions in relation to using the Epi Pen. Professional development in this area will be updated every three years to link with First Aid. Details of all students known to be at risk from anaphylaxis must be distributed to all staff at the beginning of each year or as they become known Regular assessments will be conducted of the potential for accidental exposure to allergens while child/ren at risk of anaphylaxis are in the care of the school Ongoing communication between parents/caregivers and staff regarding the current status of a child s allergies, this policy and its implementation will be maintained. SPW Policies & Procedures: Anaphylaxis 3

4 1.2.4 The school newsletter and other relevant polices will be used to highlight and reinforce the Anaphylactic Policy During whole school activities (P 7) where consumption of food is involved, students will be supervised by staff members to minimise the risk of coming into contact with nuts or nut products. Purchases by students at commercial canteens eg swimming carnival will be closely monitored. At activities where the school operates a canteen, items sold will be compatible with this Anaphylaxis Policy Nuts and nut products, especially peanut butter and Nutella should not be included in any food items brought to school by any child or sold / made available by the school Copies of this policy are available on request to the School Office or at our web page Staff The parents/caregivers of anaphylactic students are required to meet with the Principal / Assistant Principal / Teacher to develop an individual plan that details the student s needs in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. In this meeting arrangements are to be made in regard to the provision of Epi Pens by the parents. If the child has allergies, the parents/caregivers will be asked to provide an Anaphylaxis Action Plan signed by a Doctor The EpiPen kit will be stored in a location that is known to all staff, including relief staff; easily accessible to adults (not locked away); inaccessible to children The EpiPen kit for each child at risk of anaphylaxis will be carried by a trained adult on excursions that this child attends The EpiPen expiry date will be regularly checked All students at the Infants and Primary Campus are educated in relation to practices that minimise the risk to anaphylactic students Students will not be allowed to share food that they bring to school. Special arrangements will be made for anaphylactic students for class parties etc Students will be seated and supervised at recess and lunch while they are eating. Anaphylactic students seating arrangements will be monitored by staff member(s) on duty to minimise the risk of the student coming into contact with food containing nuts In the situation where a child who has not been diagnosed as allergic, but who appears to be having an anaphylactic reaction: Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000. Commence first aid measures. Contact the parent/caregiver. Contact the person to be notified in the event of illness if the parent/caregiver cannot be contacted. 1.4 Parents/Carers The school will be provided with an Anaphylaxis Action Plan and written consent given to use the EpiPen in line with this action plan A complete EpiPen kit will be provided to the School Information and opportunities to answer questions regarding the child s allergies will be provided The school will be notified of any changes to the child s allergy status and a new Anaphylaxis Action Plan will be provided in accordance with these changes. 2.0 General Action Plan in the Event of an Anaphylactic Episode 2.1 Child experiences Anaphylactic episode in classroom. SPW Policies & Procedures: Anaphylaxis 4

5 2.1.1 The class teacher accesses the EpiPen and administers it to the child. The class teacher then seeks assistance from another staff member/assistant Principal via telephone/help card. The teacher with the patient then stays with him or her at all times and keeps him/her as calm as possible and reassures the patient that assistance is coming The other staff member/assistant Principal proceeds immediately to the patient s classroom to assist the class teacher (alerting closest teacher to the situation on the way past) The other staff member/assistant Principal informs the Front Office that a child is having an anaphylactic reaction and asks the Front Office to telephone for an ambulance for immediate assistance. Other staff member/assistant Principal should clearly specify the classroom/area involved The Front Office staff immediately telephone for an ambulance giving directions to the area The Front Office staff then informs Principal (or delegate if Principal is unavailable) that an ambulance has been called and details The class teacher remains with the child at all times The other staff member/assistant Principal manages the other students in the class while the class teacher stays with patient Principal (or delegate) contacts parents and then Principal (or delegate) proceeds to the area to provide staff and students with support When ambulance arrives at the school the other staff member/assistant Principal directs ambulance to appropriate classroom (or delegates this role to a teacher/teacher assistant who waits at the Old Scholars Gates) If parents have not arrived by the time the ambulance needs to depart a teacher or Assistant Principal travels with child to hospital Staff and Principal debrief after incident The class teacher debriefs with students in class. 2.2 Child experiences Anaphylactic episode in the playground The teacher on playground supervision duty sends for assistance via an emergency card (an Emergency Card is kept in each of the duty waist bags. All teachers will carry the duty waist bags while on duty). Emergency Card is given to a student to take to the nearest teacher. The teacher with the child must stay with him or her at all times and keeps him/her as calm as possible and reassures the child that assistance is coming The receiving teacher collects the Epi Pen and alerts other staff, while immediately proceeding to the playground where the child is located to assist in administering the Epi Pen After administering the Epi Pen, the receiving teacher supervises other children in the playground The Front Office is informed that a child is having an anaphylactic reaction telephones for an ambulance for immediate assistance A staff member contacts Principal or delegate, Assistant Principal, (if not already alerted) The Principal (or delegate) contacts parents and then the Principal supports staff and students One Front Office staff member waits for the ambulance at the Old Scholars Gates to give directions on arrival of the ambulance to the patient Other staff members proceed to the playground to assist with student management in the playground, ensuring clear access to patient If parents have not arrived by the time the ambulance needs to depart a teacher or Principal / delegate travels with child to hospital Staff and Principal debrief after incident. SPW Policies & Procedures: Anaphylaxis 5

6 Students are debriefed by teacher(s) and/or Senior Management. 2.3 Outside School Activities Camps and Excursions Epi Pen is taken personally by the teacher to the activity or the class teacher arranges for the supervising teacher to take EpiPen/Instructions to the activity. A mobile telephone must be taken to any off school activities attended by the anaphylactic student In the event of an anaphylactic episode during the activity, the Epi Pen should be administered to the student and the ambulance called Contacting of the parents of the child should be contacted as outlined above. References NSW Health DET Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Schools Severe allergic reactions Second edition 2006 NSW Health flyer Peanut Allergy Fact Sheet The Children s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children s Hospital 2005 ASCIA Guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and childcare centres ASCIA 2004 Office for Children Victorian Government Anaphylaxis model policy Published by the Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia May Department of Education and Children s Services 2005 Anaphylaxis first aid guide (2007)& Anaphylaxis Brochure for Families (2006) SPW Policies & Procedures: Anaphylaxis 6