BACKGROUND 

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. Signs and symptoms can occur within minutes of an exposure to an offending substance and can develop at any age. Warning signs as well as the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person and sometimes from reaction to reaction in the same person. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame and certain insect stings. 

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in school is knowledge of the student who has been diagnosed as at risk, awareness of allergens, and prevention of exposure to those allergens. Partnerships between schools and parents/guardians are important in helping the student avoid exposure. 

Adrenaline given through an adrenaline autoinjector (such as EpiPen) into the muscle of the outer mid-thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis. 

POLICY 

The goal of the district is to take reasonable steps to provide an allergy-safe and allergy-aware environment for students with life-threatening allergies as well as taking steps to provide those with undiagnosed life threatening allergies access to life-saving undesignated medication. 

These steps include: 

a) A process for identifying students with known allergies. 

b) A process for preventing exposure to possible allergens. 

c) A process for communicating information about anaphylactic students and allergens to staff including temporary staff 

d) A process for staff education for those persons reasonably expected to have supervisory responsibility of students in recognizing anaphylaxis and responding appropriately. 

e) A process for caring for students during an anaphylaxis emergency. 

f) A process for maintaining undesignated emergency medication. 

IDENTIFICATION 

The building nurse/office personnel acting in nursing capacity is responsible for identifying students with life threatening allergies through the following: 

●   Review of student health history forms completed by parents annually

●   School physicals completed in Pre-K, K, 6th and 9th grades 

• Parents of students with known life-threatening allergies and/or anaphylaxis should provide the school with written instructions from the student’s health care provider for handling anaphylaxis and all necessary medications for implementing the student-specific order on an annual basis. This may be provided as an Individual Health Care Plan, an Emergency Action Plan, or as part of a student’s Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan.

PREVENTION 

● Nurses/office personnel provide the cafeteria with a detailed allergy list, and 

the list is posted in a visible location in the cafeteria. 

● Cafeteria staff have substitute items ready and labeled. 

● All food provided at school is nut-free. 

● Classroom snacks follow guidelines, and adhere to student health needs

• Cafeteria staff follow all Cass County Public Health regulations regarding cross-contamination. 

COMMUNICATION 

The building nurse/office personnel will communicate with teachers, cafeteria staff and transportation the names of at-risk students. Teachers and other staff will also make available emergency information for substitutes. Specific 504 or IEP plans containing information on life threatening allergies/allergens will be provided to each classroom teacher by building principals or special education staff.

STAFF EDUCATION 

All staff will complete education in life-threatening allergy, anaphylaxis, and Epi-pen administration annually through Bushue or other training mechanisms. Staff can also review education sheets provided during inservice training or other training. 

CARING FOR STUDENTS WITH KNOWN LIFE THREATENING ALLERGIES The building nurse/office personnel is responsible for the following: 

● All students with known life threatening allergies should have an allergy action plan completed each year and kept on file in the office. 

● A request for a new allergy action plan each year from students identified as having life threatening allergies will be included in registration information. 

● An emergency binder will be kept in each office with the student allergy action plans. 

● Epi-pens and other emergency medications such as benadryl will be kept in an unlocked cabinet in the office or in the student’s backpack and administered as directed in the student’s allergy action plan. 

● Students may possess and self-administer an epinephrine injector prescribed for use at the student’s discretion, provided the student’s parent/guardian has completed and signed a School Medication Authorization Form. 

UNDESIGNATED EMERGENCY MEDICATION/EPI-PENS 

The district nurse/office personnel is responsible for maintaining the undesignated Epi-pens in the district.  Epi-Pens will be provided as available from Cass County Health Department. 

An Epi-pen / Epi-pen Jr will be  kept in each school in the following locations: 

● Elementary office 

● Jr/Sr High School office