Phoenix Health

Regional School Unit 73

Life-Threatening Allergies Protocol

Management of life-threatening allergies at school is focused primarily on prevention of exposure to known allergens. The school nurse will work with the student, family and teacher to develop a plan to minimize the likelihood of exposure throughout the school day. In addition, an emergency plan will be developed to ensure prompt and appropriate response in the event of anaphylaxis. Parents will notify the school nurse and provide an allergy action plan for a student with identified allergies.

1. The parent will bring medication to the school health office to have available in the event of an allergic reaction. A medication permission form or allergy emergency action plan must be completed and signed by the parent and the student’s physician on an annual basis.
2. The school nurse will notify school staff of the emergency allergy plan of any student identified with known life-threatening allergies.
3. Epinephrine auto-injectors and any other allergy medication will be sent with the student or appropriate staff if the student leaves the building on a field trip.
4. The school unit may supply each school building with an epinephrine auto-injector for students with unknown allergies who present with a life-threatening situation.
5. School personnel should be trained annually in the care of the student with allergies.
6. Epinephrine auto-injectors will be kept where it can be reached quickly.

The student’s parent and the school principal will be notified whenever an epinephrine auto-injector is used at school.

The epinephrine auto-injector should be used as follows:

• Most epinephrine auto-injectors contain 0.3mg/0.3mi epinephrine for intramuscular use (use for the person over 66 pounds).
• The junior epinephrine auto-injector contains 0.15mg/0.15 ml epinephrine for intramuscular use (use for person under 66 pounds).
• Epinephrine auto-injectors may be used through clothing if necessary.
• Remove the colored cap or top.
• Place the colored tip on the thigh at a right angle to the leg (or follow directions on the epinephrine auto-injector insert.)
• Press hard into the thigh until the auto-injector functions, count to ten and then remove the epinephrine auto-injector.