Rationale

The College has a Duty of Care to implement practical strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to known allergens within the College environment. The College cannot guarantee a totally allergen free environment. John XXIII College is an "allergy aware" school.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction and is potentially life-threatening. 

It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.

Treatment for anaphylaxis

The only treatment for the serious effects of anaphylaxis is adrenaline (epipen). Adrenaline is the body’s natural antidote against the chemicals, which cause anaphylaxis. The Epipen is a single use pre-loaded automatic injection devise containing adrenalin. It is designed for use by non-medical people.

It is available in 2 “strengths”:  Epipen Junior (suitable for children weighing 10 – 20kg) and Epipen (suitable for children weighing more than 20kg).

Role of College

• John XXIII College follows recommendations suggested in the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Anaphylaxis Training Resources for Educators and Allied Health Professionals.  Staff follow the emergency management for Anaphylaxis as outlined in the ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plans.
• John XXIII College acknowledges a duty of care to provide a safe and supportive environment which addresses, to the extent possible, reduction of the risks of exposure to known allergens. This includes ensuring that the health care needs of the student are identified and managed at school and during off–site activities eg. Excursions and camps.
• Parent/Guardian complete and sign Medical Information on their child/ren at enrolment or as part of regular health updates. It is stated on student information form that if a child requires an Epipen, parent must contact College nurse to complete an Action Plan.
• College nurse meets with Parent/guardian to:
  
1. Discuss the child’s allergy, reaction, treatment and management.

2. Parent/Guardian to provide a completed ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan for their child, signed by General Practioner or Immunologis. Signed Action Plans are kept in Health Centre.

3. Obtain prescribed Epipen for child from parent.

4. Give parent/guardian Anaphylaxis information package consisting of:

* Permission form for parent to sign allowing pictured action plans be put in learning area offices and staff room.
* Medication request form to sign.
* Action plan for doctor to sign
* Allergy awareness information for Parent and child

• Principal of the College, Mrs Anne Fry, requests staff administer a generic Epipen to any student who may be experiencing signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
• Annual professional development provided to staff in anaphylaxis management and administration of Epipen.
• Students to be sent to the nurse immediately in the case of bee, wasp, bull-ant and spider stings/bite.
• Staff or student to scrape a bee sting out immediately, do not pull out.
• Advise students with insect allergies not to be barefoot on grass.
• Students must be sent to nurse immediately if they may have ingested a known allergen. Rinse mouth out with water immediately.
• Students old enough to understand the administration of Epipen, are requested to carry their epipen on them at all times.
• Teachers must collect a first aid kit and generic epipen for all off site activities.
• Staff first aid courses are conducted each term by Australian Red Cross in order to have an adequate number of staff with current First Aid qualification. In the event of an Anaphylaxis, staff must follow emergency first aid procedures and phone for an ambulance immediately, contact nurse and Contact parents/carers immediately.
• Inform staff of students with anaphylaxis and place pictured Action Plans of students in Secondary Learning Area Offices, staff room (primary students only) and primary school duty folders. Review Action Plans annually. The signs of anaphylaxis and steps on how to give an Epipen are detailed on the standard Action Plan from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
• Advise that students with Allergies wear a Medic-Alert bracelet/necklet
•  Staff to be aware that the use of food items in crafts, cooking classes, art and science experiments (eg. milk containers, egg cartons, nutshells, eggshells, peanut paste jars) can be risk items to the allergy child.
•  Teachers and students are requested to avoid bringing in nuts/nut products to school.
•  Request parents not to send food containing nuts/nut products to school.
• Educate children not to share food, food utensils, drink containers, pens, pencils or any mouth pieces. Encourage hand washing before and after eating.

EPIPEN LOCATION

•  Inform staff that Generic Epipens and anaphylaxis action plans are located in: health centre, student reception, cooking dept, canteen, sport dept, secondary sport first aid kits, secondary mary ward centre, year 7 department, library, secondary duty first aid kit, primary sport first aid kits, years 1-3 duty first aid kit, years 4-6 duty first aid kit, preprimary, kindergarten, day excursion kits, camp kits.
• Epipens are regularly checked on campus for expiry and discolouration
•  Staff informed that there are Epipen trainer pens x 2  permanently placed in the staff room for practice by staff. Anaphylaxis management and epipen instructions are attached. Inform staff each term to check Epipen instruction guide on 'clickview player' on computer.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENT/GUARDIAN

• Parent/Guardian complete and sign Medical Information on their child/ren on enrolment and as part of annual Medical Information updates.
• Parent/Guardian advised on Medical Information form that if their child has anaphylaxis and has been prescribed with an Epipen, the parent must contact College nurse to discuss management and complete an Action Plan. Parent/Guardian must supply signed Action plan completed by General Practioner or Immunologist.
• Parent must supply Health Centre with Child's Epipen.
• When a child no longer requires an Epipen, Parent must supply written confirmation of this from General Practioner or Immunologist.
• Ideally, food for the allergic child should be prepared from home. Lunch Boxes and drink bottles should be clearly labelled with child's name.
• Teach child not to accept food or drink from others and not to take any risks with their allergy.
• Educate child not to share food utensils, pens, pencils or any mouth pieces.
• Educate child to wash hands before and after eating.
• Parent/Guardian should educate their child to manage his/her allergy and teach them to self-administer their epipen. This is age appropriate.
• When a child with a food allergy in Primary School has a lunch order, parent/guardian are requested to write their food allergy in Red on lunch bag.
• Parent to replace Epipen when expired or has been used.
• It is recommended that your child wear a Medic Alert Bracelet.
• Parents advised that student should carrry their epipen on them when age appropriate, and that epipen must be with child on all out of school activities, eg. sport.
• For allergy information and management visit: www.allergy.org.au or www.allergyfacts.org.au

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENT

• Students should carry their epipen on them, when age appropriate. Epipen should be with child on all out of school activities, eg. sport
• Students must go to nurse immediately in the case of bee/wasp/ant/spider stings. In the case of a bee sting, scrape sting out, do not pull out.
• If you have allergies to Bees/Wasps, avoid going barefoot on grass. Observe for Bee/Wasp activity around College.
• Students to go to nurse immediately if they ingest a known allergen, mouth must be rinsed out with water immediately.
• Students must not share food or drink. Students should wash hands before and after eating.
• Students to be careful when buying food from canteen or participating in class/College food activities.
• Students are advised to inform a teacher, College Counsellor or College nurse should other children communicate any negative comments or behaviour about their allergy.

CANTEEN AND FOOD PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

• Canteen staff and food production department staff are given a list of students with allergies and the foods to which they are allergic.
• Canteen staff remove items with known allergen as a listed ingredient. This does not apply to those foods labeled ‘may contain traces of nuts’.
• "Allergy Aware" posters are placed in canteen area and food production dept, advising students to be cautious before purchasing food and before handling foods in cooking class.
• Inform food preparation personnel about measures necessary to prevent cross contamination during the handling preparation and serving of food.

CLASS ROOM FOOD

• Request parents not to send food containing nuts, eggs, sesame seed products with their child/ren.
• Ideally, children with severe food allergies should only eat food that has been prepared at home.
• Staff must consider the needs of anaphylaxis students before planning class parties, class activities, excursions and camps. Staff to be aware of prevention strategies and ensure they are implemented.

GENERAL ISSUES

• Maintenance staff to do regular inspections for bee/wasp nests around the College.
• Students with severe allergies are encouraged to wear a medic alert bracelet.
• Teachers should regularly clean bench tops and be awae of the possibility of contaminated surfaces, books equipment or toys that may have been used by other students.
• Students who communicate any negative comments who behaviour to a child with allergies will be addressed by College Bullying policy.
• Students are educated and given information on the "be a Mate" program annually. This is a teaching guide that provides basic information and awareness about food allergies. 
• "Allergy aware" Posters placed in: canteen, food production dept, primary school classes.
• Staff will be debriefed after an Anaphylaxis incident.

REFERENCES  

Student Health Care Advice Paper - from Western Australian Department of Education and Training 2006

Guidelines for prevention of food anaphylactic reactions in schools, preschools and childcare centres   -  from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy inc. 2004

Nibbles Newsletter 2005 - from Heart Foundation

Anaphylaxis Training Resources for educators and allied health professionals – updated November 2005 - from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Inc

Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Schools - from New South Wales Department of Education and Training 2006

Children’s Services Support Unit WA Inc.  1/09/04