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Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management

WFISD’s allergy and anaphylaxis management plan was developed to care for students with a diagnosed potentially life-threatening allergy at risk for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergy response. Anaphylaxis is a serious immune-mediated response that develops after ingesting or coming in contact with allergens such as foods, insect stings, latex, or medications. Anaphylaxis may occur within minutes and up to 2 hours after exposure to an allergen. This Plan is in compliance with Texas S.B. 27 (2011, 82nd Legislative Session).

The basis of the procedure and protocol is to:

  • Identify the student with life-threatening allergies at risk for anaphylaxis, through parent input;
  • Develop plans and strategies to ensure a safe learning environment for the student;
  • Identify the specific responsibilities of the student, parent, WFISD and Health Services staff in creating the safe learning environment for the student with identified life-threatening allergies.

Forms

Family Allergy Health History Form

Meal Modification Form

Anaphylaxis (Allergy) Care Plan

Health Services (RN and LVN) Responsibilities:

  1. Identify students with a history of allergies, including those at risk for anaphylaxis. Identification is through a multi-step process. 
  2. RN will develop appropriate plans, including, but not limited to Individualized Care Plans, Emergency Plans, and 504 Plans-if appropriate. LVN will assist in implementing those plans.
  3. Campus nurse, or supervising RN, will notify appropriate school staff with a need to know about student’s condition, in accordance with FERPA guidelines, by providing information through the student’s Emergency Action Plan. 

The campus RN will train campus staff on:

  • Recognition of the signs & symptoms associated with life threatening allergic reactions/anaphylaxis. 
  • How & when to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.
  • Implementation of emergency procedures after administering an epinephrine auto injector.
  • Properly disposing of used or expired epinephrine auto injectors, unless EMS responds. 
  • Post-anaphylaxis event review procedures.

RN will provide the following training to WFISD staff, as determined by collaborative effort with administration:

  • Student-specific allergy and anaphylaxis recognition and response, including access to and the use of an epinephrine auto injector. 
  • Recognition of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in anyone: procedures to respond quickly and appropriately. 
  • Environmental control measures to reduce the risk of allergen exposure in all school-related areas, such as cafeteria, bus, and classroom. 
  • Provide access to all assigned medications for all off-campus, school-related activities with proper notification from the teaching staff. 
  • RN will lead debriefing following an anaphylactic event requiring the administration of epinephrine auto injector, including completion of the Report of Epinephrine Administration, form 499-041; Click here to view Form 499-041 Report of Epi Adm.

WFISD School Staff (Administrators, teachers, food services, athletics, transportation, etc.) Responsibilities:

  1. Principal ensures all campus staff receives training on recognition of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, including the administration of epinephrine auto-injectors and how to respond quickly and appropriately.
  2. Know the location of student’s epinephrine auto injector, in the event it is needed. 
  3. Recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to respond quickly and appropriately. 
  4. Teachers will notify School Nurse at least two (2) weeks prior of any off-campus, school-related activities to ensure access to life-saving medications for the student with documented life-threatening allergies. 

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:

  1. Complete the annual health history information on InfoSnap to notify the school of your child’s allergies. 
  2. Provide written documentation of allergy and nature of the allergic reaction, including any medications prescribed by a treating physician. 
  3. Provide properly labeled medications and replace those medications after use or upon expiration. Parents are responsible for providing the appropriate medications, including antihistamines and epinephrine auto-injectors, for students with a known life-threatening allergy or whose medical provider considers the student at high risk for anaphylaxis. 
  4. Collaborate with the school RN to develop an individualized care plan.
  5. Provide emergency contact information and update as needed.

For additional information regarding food allergies in schools, please visit the following website: 
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/foodallergies/index.htm