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
Anaphylaxis (Allergy) Care Plan
Health Services (RN and LVN) Responsibilities:
- Identify students with a history of allergies, including those at risk for anaphylaxis. Identification is through a multi-step process.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Know the location of student’s epinephrine auto injector, in the event it is needed.
- Recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to respond quickly and appropriately.
- 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:
- Complete the annual health history information on InfoSnap to notify the school of your child’s allergies.
- Provide written documentation of allergy and nature of the allergic reaction, including any medications prescribed by a treating physician.
- 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.
- Collaborate with the school RN to develop an individualized care plan.
- 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