ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT

APPROACH: POLICY

ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT POLICY

BACKGROUND

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.
The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to those triggers. Partnership between school and parents is important in ensuring that certain foods or items are kept away from the student while at school.
UNDERTAKING

Kamaruka Education Centre will fully comply with Ministerial Order 706 Anaphylaxis Management in Victorian Schools and the associated guidelines published and amended by the Department from time to time.

PURPOSE

to provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of schooling.
to raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management plan in the school community.
to engage with parents/carers of students at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and the management strategies for the student.
to ensure that each staff member has adequate knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the school’s policy and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

INDIVIDUAL ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT PLANS

The principal will ensure that parents of students, who have been diagnosed by a medical practitioner as being at risk of anaphylaxis, understand that their medical practitioner must provide an up-to-date individual anaphylaxis management plan to the school as early as possible.
The individual anaphylaxis management plan will be in place as soon as practicable after the student enrols, and if possible, prior to the student starting school.
The individual anaphylaxis management plan will set out the following:

information about the diagnosis, including the type of allergy or allergies student has (based on a diagnosis from a medical practitioner).
strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to allergens while the student is under the care or supervision of school staff, for in-school and out of school settings including camps and excursions.
information on where the student’s medication will be stored.
contact details for the student.
the procedure for managing an emergency (ASCIA Action Plan), which is provided by the parent.

In consultation with parents/carers, each student’s individual management plan will be reviewed, annually, and as applicable if the student’s condition changes, or immediately after a student has an anaphylactic reaction at school.
It is the responsibility of the parent to:

provide the emergency procedure plan to the school.
inform the school if their child’s medical condition changes, and if relevant, provide an updated emergency procedure plan.
provide an up-to-date photo for the emergency procedure plan when the plan is provided to the school and when it is reviewed.

COMMUNICATION PLAN

When a student at risk of anaphylaxis is enrolled at Kamaruka, the principal will be responsible for ensuring that a communication plan is developed to provide information to all staff, students and parents about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management policy/plan. Staff will be informed at morning briefings when a student is first enrolled and subsequently at each of the term staff curriculum days.
The communication plan will include information about what steps will be taken to respond to an anaphylactic reaction by a student in classroom, in the school yard, on school excursions and special event days.
The principal will ensure that all staff will be briefed at the staff curriculum day prior to the commencement of the school year and again before the commencement of Term 3 by a staff member with up-to-date anaphylaxis management training on:

the school’s anaphylaxis management policy.
the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis.
the students diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and the location of medication.
the correct use of the auto adrenaline injecting device.
the school’s first aid and emergency response procedures.

STAFF TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

It is the responsibility of the principal to ensure that teachers, and other school staff who conduct classes with students at risk of anaphylaxis, will have up-to-date training in an anaphylaxis management training course in accordance with Ministerial Order 706.
In 2017, 3 staff members have current certificates in Management of Anaphylaxis. (Unit Code VU21800)

At other times while a student is under the care or supervision of the school, including excursions, play-time duty, camps and special event days, the principal will ensure that there is a sufficient number of staff present who have up-to-date training in anaphylaxis management. All camps, excursions etc. are supervised by existing staff.

No other staff can be identified that would be required to have anaphylaxis management training.

GENERAL

auto adrenaline injecting devices are located in the sick bay in plastic pockets labelled with the student’s name and instructions for use;
each student’s ASCIA plan is located in the sick bay and readily accessible;
a photo of each individual student at risk is displayed throughout the school in each homeroom folder and specialist teacher folder;
the designated first aid officer is responsible for checking the expiry dates of the auto adrenaline injecting devices and will notifying parents prior to expiry;
each student’s action plan is updated annually by the student’s medical practitioner;
each classroom daily sheet has a copy of information of each student at risk of anaphylaxis;
in the event of a suspected anaphylactic emergency, an ambulance will be called;
the school will liaise with parents/carers about food related activities;
on school camps, excursions and sporting events, the auto adrenaline injecting device will remain close to the student. Consideration is given in planning ahead for food and meals for students at risk of anaphylaxis;
all students at risk of anaphylaxis must provide an auto adrenaline injecting device and ASCIA action plan for school camp;
staff are routinely briefed about students at risk of anaphylaxis.

ANAPHYLAXIS COMMUNICATION PLAN

The principal will ensure effective communication of students at risk of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis action plans are located in the sick bay and include students’ photos.
Anaphylaxis action plans including photos are located in attendance rolls in all classrooms.
All staff undergo regular briefings on anaphylaxis, the symptoms and emergency responses.
All staff with a student at risk of anaphylactic responses in their classroom, will be briefed at the beginning of the year, to ensure their awareness of the issues related to these students.
Parents/carers of anaphylactic students will be contacted each year to ensure we have the most up-to-date anaphylactic management plan available.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

In the event of an anaphylactic episode in the classroom:

the teacher in charge will contact the office. If possible the student will be taken to the sick bay where their personal auto adrenaline injecting device (Epipen) can be used. When it is decided to use the Epipen; 000 will be rung immediately. A mobile phone will be used if the student is not located in the office area.

At excursions/sports/camp:

the principal or principal’s delegate will inform the relevant venue of any students with anaphylaxis to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for students at these venues.
the auto adrenaline injecting device will accompany students at risk of anaphylaxis to all excursions, sports events and camps.
the injecting device will be kept within close proximity of the student.
in the event of an anaphylactic episode, the supervising teacher will administer the auto adrenaline injection.
the supervising teacher will ring 000 for medical assistance.
if the episode takes place at another school or establishment, first aid assistance will be sought
parents will be fully informed of the relevant considerations for school camps such as:

the remoteness of the camp (distance to nearest hospital)
mobile telephone coverage. (NB: In some locations, coverage is not reliable).

ANAPHYLAXIS COMMUNICATION/ MANAGEMENT

Classroom including specialists.

Every teacher will receive individual anaphylactic management plans (including photographs) for all anaphylactic students in their grade level. If the student goes to different maths groups or literacy groups (or specialists) this allows for all staff to be aware of potential hazards.
Individual management plans will be placed in all classroom and specialist teacher folders. Specialists will have the names of all students who have Anaphylaxis.
Kamaruka does not have a canteen, so there is no risk of inappropriate food being supplied at school or canteen staff unaware of the anaphylactic management plan.
Because of the specialist nature of the program at Kamaruka, employing CRT’s is not an option and volunteers or trainee teachers doing placements are made aware through the induction process.

Minimising exposure.

Students are expected to eat their play lunch and lunch in the classroom with a staff member.
In an attempt to minimise exposure, all students in classrooms sit at their own table and do not move around whilst eating, this will help minimise contamination.
There will be regular communication with parents via email reminding them that there is a student at school at risk of anaphylaxis, and consequently, certain food and/or items need to be banned for that student’s welfare.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
During recess and lunch times

Anaphylactic episode

identify the student and verify they have an individual anaphylactic management plan.
Contact the office immediately and if feasible take the student to the sick bay and locate the management plan.
If the student cannot be moved from the play area, send for the epipen and administer treatment there whilst contacting 000 by a mobile phone for emergency medical assistance
clearly explain that this student is suffering a suspected anaphylactic reaction.

During instruction time (in classrooms or specialists)

Anaphylactic episode

identify the student and verify they have an individual anaphylactic management plan (See classroom folder).
Get assistance from classroom teacher next door as help is sought from the office.
Move student to the office if possible, and then undertake emergency response management.
The office will ring 000 for emergency medical assistance and notify relevant staff to provide support as soon as practicable.
Communication to parents
This information will be provided to parents at the start of each school year via the newsletter. A separate note may be sent home to parents at specific year levels if deemed necessary.

ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT

The majority of students enrolled at Kamaruka have mental health issues which complicate the enforcement of rules that are not black and white. They need very clear and concise guidelines which are not open to misinterpretation. Parents are asked to accept our decision to ban nuts or any products that could lead to an anaphylactic episode.

Teachers at Kamaruka will reinforce the general rule that we don’t share food and that we should wash our hands after eating.

Food such as cakes or other foods may be sent to school to celebrate birthdays, however a full list of ingredients needs to be provided. On special occasions when food is freely available, teachers will ensure that a safe environment is maintained for all students. Prior to commencing units of work that involve cooking, teachers will discuss the individual needs of students at risk with parents.

Parents who have concerns or require clarification are urged to speak to the classroom teacher. Alternatively, you can contact the office for further information.

Appendices which are connected with this policy are:

Appendix A: Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan – Download

Appendix B: Action Plan for Anaphylaxis – Download

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Kamaruka Advisory Committee and will be an agenda item at the first sitting of the Committee immediately after a student with anaphylaxis is enrolled.

All policy documents are accessible on the Kamaruka website and are available for staff to view in each staff room. Copies are provided for parents with enrolment forms.

This policy was last ratified by the Kamaruka Advisory Committee on 11 September 2017