Allergy Action Plan Carrie Hallquist, MS Eau Claire Area School District Safety Coordinator

What is an Allergy? An immediate or delayed immune reaction caused by exposure to an antigen (allergen) An immediate or delayed immune reaction caused by exposure to an antigen (allergen) Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions Reactions vary from mild to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions Anaphylaxis – an acute, severe, sometimes fatal, allergic reaction affecting two or more body systems Anaphylaxis – an acute, severe, sometimes fatal, allergic reaction affecting two or more body systems Most dangerous = breathing difficulties and drop in blood pressure or shock Most dangerous = breathing difficulties and drop in blood pressure or shock Can be result of exposure to allergen that has not caused a reaction previously Can be result of exposure to allergen that has not caused a reaction previously Can occur immediately or several hours later Can occur immediately or several hours later Some can react to just touching or inhaling the allergen Some can react to just touching or inhaling the allergen

Common Allergens Foods Foods Peanuts Peanuts Tree Nuts Tree Nuts Dairy Products Dairy Products Eggs Eggs Soy Soy Wheat Wheat Fish Fish Shellfish Shellfish Insect Stings Insect Stings Yellow Jackets Bees Wasps Hornets Medications Medications Latex Latex

Why have a Plan? Increasing number of affected students Increasing number of affected students 11 million Americans have food allergies 11 million Americans have food allergies Prevalence of food allergies, particularly among children, is on the rise Prevalence of food allergies, particularly among children, is on the rise Anaphylaxis causes 200 deaths annually Anaphylaxis causes 200 deaths annually We cannot guarantee to be allergen-free We cannot guarantee to be allergen-free Guidelines for staff and families needed Guidelines for staff and families needed Need for standardization across district Need for standardization across district

Plan Development Committee Development Committee Development ECASD School Health Committee ECASD School Health Committee Allergy Sub-Committee Allergy Sub-Committee Information Collection Information Collection Drafts Drafts Finalized Plan Finalized Plan Communication of Plan Communication of Plan Review Review

Plan Layout Emergency Response Emergency Response Reaction Follow-up Reaction Follow-up Responsibilities Responsibilities Allergy Emergency Plan Allergy Emergency Plan Diet Modification Diet Modification Medication Administration Medication Administration Critical Health List Letter Critical Health List Letter Parent/Snack Sample Letters Parent/Snack Sample Letters Child – Reaction Description Child – Reaction Description Epi-Pen Instructions Epi-Pen Instructions Elementary Student Talking Points Elementary Student Talking Points Allergen-Free Table Checklist Allergen-Free Table Checklist Hand Washing Protocol Hand Washing Protocol

Responsibilities Family Family Communication Communication Forms Completion Forms Completion Updates Updates Educate Student in Self- Management Skills Educate Student in Self- Management Skills Student Student Follow Rules Follow Rules Communication Communication School Administration School Administration Coordination Coordination Teacher Teacher Classroom Protocol Food Service Food Service Diet Modification Food Preparation Public Health Nurse Public Health Nurse Consultation Medication Administration Training Development of Allergy Emergency Plan

Allergy Emergency Plan Student Information Student Information Including Student Picture Including Student Picture Signs of an Allergic Reaction Signs of an Allergic Reaction Plan for Allergic Reaction Plan for Allergic Reaction Emergency Contact Information Emergency Contact Information Update/Review Information Update/Review Information Copy Distribution Copy Distribution

Continued Challenges Outside of school hours - use of buildings Outside of school hours - use of buildings Recognition as serious/important Recognition as serious/important Communication Communication Movement of personnel Movement of personnel Substitute personnel Substitute personnel Parents not giving us necessary information Parents not giving us necessary information Students “testing” the system Students “testing” the system

Resources Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) = Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) = American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology = American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology = Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America = Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America = Food Allergy Initiative = Food Allergy Initiative = Food Allergy Project = Food Allergy Project = Kids with Food Allergies = Kids with Food Allergies = Allergy/Asthma Information Association = Allergy/Asthma Information Association = Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) = Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) =

Thank you! Carrie Hallquist, MS Eau Claire Area School District Safety Coordinator