Prevention and Management of Anaphylaxis in Schools - The Challenge of Policy and Practice

Abstract

Background: Increasingly, allergy practitioners are being asked by parents and school staff to advise on the prevention and management of food allergy when affected children are enrolled in child care or school. This has compelled health practitioners to have a role in advocating for the special needs of the food-allergic child. School policy needs to be formulated and implemented so that a food-allergic child can safely attend school. Methods: A review of the available guidelines for the prevention and first aid management of anaphylaxis in schools. A description of a successful program instituted in South Australia with a description of key issues relating to school policy and practice. Results: School staff have a duty of care towards children attending school, which should extend to food allergy prevention and first aid management. Reasonable and practical steps need to be established, including documenting which children are at increased risk of anaphylaxis, instituting anaphylaxis action and health support plans, and providing education and training. Monitoring of the program needs to be ongoing to assure consistent and quality training and to document episodes of anaphylaxis occurring at schools. Conclusion: Health practitioners will be called on to support individual children but may also be asked to contribute to the formulation and implementation of school policy. This can be a both challenging and rewarding experience. © 2006 Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.