Allergy Action PlanAllergy Action Plan

Carrie Hallquist, MSCarrie Hallquist, MS

Eau Claire Area School DistrictEau Claire Area School District

Safety CoordinatorSafety Coordinator

What is an Allergy?What is an Allergy? An immediate or delayed immune reaction caused by An immediate or delayed immune reaction caused by

exposure to an antigen (allergen) exposure to an antigen (allergen) Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening

anaphylactic reactionsanaphylactic reactions Anaphylaxis – an acute, severe, sometimes fatal, Anaphylaxis – an acute, severe, sometimes fatal,

allergic reaction affecting two or more body systemsallergic reaction affecting two or more body systems Most dangerous = breathing difficulties and drop in blood Most dangerous = breathing difficulties and drop in blood

pressure or shockpressure or shock Can be result of exposure to allergen that has not caused a Can be result of exposure to allergen that has not caused a

reaction previouslyreaction previously Can occur immediately or several hours laterCan occur immediately or several hours later Some can react to just touching or inhaling the allergenSome can react to just touching or inhaling the allergen

Common AllergensCommon Allergens

FoodsFoods PeanutsPeanuts Tree NutsTree Nuts Dairy ProductsDairy Products EggsEggs SoySoy WheatWheat FishFish ShellfishShellfish

Insect StingsInsect Stings Yellow JacketsYellow Jackets BeesBees WaspsWasps HornetsHornets

MedicationsMedications LatexLatex

Why have a Plan?Why have a Plan?

Increasing number of affected studentsIncreasing number of affected students 11 million Americans have food allergies11 million Americans have food allergies Prevalence of food allergies, particularly among Prevalence of food allergies, particularly among

children, is on the rise children, is on the rise Anaphylaxis causes 200 deaths annuallyAnaphylaxis causes 200 deaths annually

We We cannotcannot guarantee to be allergen-free guarantee to be allergen-free Guidelines for staff and families neededGuidelines for staff and families needed Need for standardization across districtNeed for standardization across district

Plan DevelopmentPlan Development

Committee DevelopmentCommittee Development ECASD School Health CommitteeECASD School Health Committee Allergy Sub-CommitteeAllergy Sub-Committee

Information CollectionInformation Collection DraftsDrafts Finalized PlanFinalized Plan Communication of PlanCommunication of Plan ReviewReview

Plan LayoutPlan Layout

Emergency ResponseEmergency Response Reaction Follow-upReaction Follow-up ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Allergy Emergency PlanAllergy Emergency Plan Diet ModificationDiet Modification Medication Medication

AdministrationAdministration Critical Health List Critical Health List

LetterLetter

Parent/Snack Sample Parent/Snack Sample LettersLetters

Child – Reaction Child – Reaction DescriptionDescription

Epi-Pen InstructionsEpi-Pen Instructions Elementary Student Elementary Student

Talking PointsTalking Points Allergen-Free Table Allergen-Free Table

ChecklistChecklist Hand Washing ProtocolHand Washing Protocol

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

FamilyFamily CommunicationCommunication Forms CompletionForms Completion UpdatesUpdates Educate Student in Self-Educate Student in Self-

Management SkillsManagement Skills

StudentStudent Follow RulesFollow Rules CommunicationCommunication

School AdministrationSchool Administration CoordinationCoordination

TeacherTeacher Classroom ProtocolClassroom Protocol

Food ServiceFood Service Diet ModificationDiet Modification Food PreparationFood Preparation

Public Health NursePublic Health Nurse ConsultationConsultation Medication Administration Medication Administration

TrainingTraining Development of Allergy Development of Allergy

Emergency PlanEmergency Plan

Allergy Emergency PlanAllergy Emergency Plan

Student InformationStudent Information Including Student PictureIncluding Student Picture

Signs of an Allergic ReactionSigns of an Allergic Reaction Plan for Allergic ReactionPlan for Allergic Reaction Emergency Contact InformationEmergency Contact Information Update/Review InformationUpdate/Review Information Copy DistributionCopy Distribution

Allergy Emergency Plan Student’s Name: D.O.B.: School: GRADE: Allergy To:

The severity of symptoms can quickly change. All symptoms can potentially progress to a life-threatening situation.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction: Mouth itching & swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth Throat* itching and/or a sense of tightness in the throat, hoarseness, and hacking cough Skin hives, itching rash and/or swelling about the face or extremities Gut nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and/or diarrhea Lung* shortness of breath, repetitive coughing, and/or wheezing Heart* weak pulse, “passing out” Other *High risk for severe reactions

Plan for Allergic Reaction

Symptom or Condition of Concern Action to Take (Emergency Plan)

Do not hesitate to call 911 (ask for advanced life support) Stay with the child until parent or emergency medical services arrives

Mother’s Name:

Home Number:

Cell Number:

Work Number:

Father’s Name:

Home Number:

Cell Number:

Work Number:

Emergency Contact:

Phone Number:

Emergency Contact:

Phone Number:

Health Care Provider: Phone Number: Hospital Preference: Date of Parental Contact: Public Health Nurse Signature: Date: Original: Public Health Nurse Copy: Principal Copy: Teacher Copy: Secretary Copy: Food & Nutrition Staff Copy: Others as deemed necessary by Principal

Place Students’ Picture Here

Continued ChallengesContinued Challenges

Outside of school hours - use of buildingsOutside of school hours - use of buildings Recognition as serious/importantRecognition as serious/important CommunicationCommunication Movement of personnelMovement of personnel Substitute personnelSubstitute personnel Parents not giving us necessary informationParents not giving us necessary information Students “testing” the systemStudents “testing” the system

ResourcesResources Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) = Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) =

www.foodallergy.comwww.foodallergy.com American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology = American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology =

www.aaaai.orgwww.aaaai.org Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America = www.aafa.orgAsthma and Allergy Foundation of America = www.aafa.org Food Allergy Initiative = www.foodallergyinitiative.orgFood Allergy Initiative = www.foodallergyinitiative.org Food Allergy Project = www.foodallergyproject.orgFood Allergy Project = www.foodallergyproject.org Kids with Food Allergies = www.kidswithfoodallergies.orgKids with Food Allergies = www.kidswithfoodallergies.org Allergy/Asthma Information Association = www.aaia.caAllergy/Asthma Information Association = www.aaia.ca Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics

(AANMA) = www.aanma.org(AANMA) = www.aanma.org

Thank you!Thank you!

Carrie Hallquist, MSCarrie Hallquist, MSEau Claire Area School DistrictEau Claire Area School District

Safety CoordinatorSafety Coordinatorchallquist@ecasd.k12.wi.uschallquist@ecasd.k12.wi.us