Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

Anaphylaxis The Outdoor School will fully comply with ministerial order 706 and the associated Guidelines published and amended by the Department of Education and Training.

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 (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame seeds, latex, certain insect stings and medications. The keys to prevention of anaphylaxis are planning, risk minimisation, awareness and education. Additional factors relevant to Outdoor School: The remote context of our High Plains and Journey programs. The incidence of known insect triggers. The incidence of known food triggers. The possibility that students will not have their Management Plans properly implemented. The possibility that a student may have a first time reaction while on a program.

Purpose

To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which staff and students at

risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the student’s schooling.

To raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the school’s anaphylaxis management policy in the

school community

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

It is the responsibility of the Parents to:

provide the ASCIA Action Plan;

inform the School in writing if their child's medical condition, insofar as it relates to allergy and the

potential for anaphylactic reaction, changes and if relevant, provide an updated ASCIA Action Plan;

provide an up to date photo for the ASCIA Action Plan when that Plan is provided to the School and

when it is reviewed; and

provide the School with an Adrenaline Auto injector that is current and not expired for their child.

Students and staff with a known anaphylaxis history must supply both their own Adrenaline Auto Injector and their Management and Action plan. The plans are included in weekly medical documents which are circulated to staff.

Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

Prevention Strategies

The teaching staff and VT’s are responsible for ensuring that staff and students with known allergies are

protected as much as reasonably possible during the program. This includes;

ensuring that the staff and student always have adequate footwear, shirt, socks and pants to

minimise exposure to insect stings,

communicating food allergies to the catering staff and managing the staff or student’s exposure in

public situations (for example the day shelter during winter for Bogong or during first day lunch and

morning tea at the fire circle for 15 Mile Creek),

program modifications in order to minimise exposure to triggers, should this be deemed

appropriate,

poisoning of known ant nest and wasp nests by maintenance staff if in close proximity student

living quarters,

removing products containing tree-nuts to a safe and practicable storage area, when a known

anaphylactic (tree nuts) is in attendance for the duration of the program (Bogong Campus), and/or

reducing use of nut-containing products in all cooking (15 Mile Creek),

making every effort to keep the site nut free.

VT’s will be required to carry the provided Adrenaline Auto Injector for themselves or the student in their group unless there is an over-riding instruction in the students own anaphylaxis management plan.

School Management & Emergency Response

1. Consult the staff or student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Action Plan.

2. Check the viewing window for discolouration and the expiry date of the Adrenaline Auto Injector.

3. Administer in accordance with the staff or students’ Anaphylaxis Management Plan. Note the time.

4. Call an ambulance ‘000’ or ‘112’.

5. Anti-histamines may be administered after the use of Adrenaline Auto Injectors.

6. A second Adrenaline Auto Injector can be used if the first dose was insufficient and symptoms

worsen.

7. When practical, advise the school principal and parents of the incident.

8. Used Adrenaline Auto Injectors should be sent with the staff or student to the hospital.

9. After any anaphylaxis incident an incident report form should be filled in.

Adrenaline Auto-injectors for General Use

The general use Adrenaline Auto Injectors are supplied either to provide a backup for a student with a known allergy (they should have their own Adrenaline Auto Injector), or to allow emergency treatment in the event of a student suffering Anaphylaxis for the first time. Each Adrenaline Auto Injector treatment provides for an effective dose. The second pen provides backup for either a second separate anaphylactic event, or in the rare situation that the initial dose is not sufficient, an additional dose which may be administered 20 minutes after the first one.

Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

At Bogong, these will be distributed in the following way:

Two Epi-pens are to be stored within Bogong buildings, specifically in the first aid room and in the

kitchen. These pens are for use in an acute anaphylaxis event around the School.

Two Epi-pens per group are to be stored in the green mesh cases found in each of the group tubs.

These will be carried with teaching staff during program when away from immediate proximity of

the buildings.

At 15 Mile Creek, these will be distributed in the following way:

One Epi-pen is to be stored in the kitchen, in the first aid kit, two junior epipens stored in the first

aid cabinet.

Six numbered sets comprised of one adult epipen and one jr. epipen in temperature-controlled

bags will be stored in the group gear area in the staff room.

Each Group Teacher carries a set with them during program when away from the immediate

proximity of campus.

Communication

The Program Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring that students with known allergies; are identified prior to the program and have a completed Management and Action plan.

Individual Anaphylaxis Action Plans are included in weekly medical summaries. The summary sheets are displayed on the information board in the office area, in the kitchen and online via filemaker.

Visiting, group teaching and kitchen staff are given a copy of the medical summaries.

At Bogong, students with known anaphylactic reactions are listed on the weekly bulletin and staff are made aware of this during the weekly all staff meeting.

Induction for new staff will include anaphylaxis awareness information and appropriate training will be sought as soon as possible for new staff.

Staff Training

In accordance with Ministerial Order 706, Staff will undertake an Anaphylaxis Management Training Course. This course is valid for 3 years, however annual refreshers are required to maintain this qualification. Additionally, all staff will participate in a briefing, to occur twice per calendar year (with the first briefing to be held at the beginning of the school year) on:

the School's Anaphylaxis Management Policy;

the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis;

how to use an Adrenaline Auto injector, including hands on practise with a trainer Adrenaline Auto injector device;

the School's general first aid and emergency response procedures; and The briefing must be conducted by a member of School Staff who has successfully completed an Anaphylaxis Management Training Course in the last 12 months.

Annual Risk Management Checklist

The Risk Management Checklist and the anaphylaxis policy (this document) will be reviewed annually.

Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

APPENDIX 1: What is Anaphylaxis

Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

Policy & Procedures - Anaphylaxis ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

APPENDIX 3: Blank ASCIA Anaphylaxis Management Plan