Anaphylaxis And Allergies

Purpose
To minimise the risk of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction occurring while a child is in the care of
FIRST IDEA FAMILY DAY CARE SERVICES.
To ensure that all educators are trained and able to respond to a suspected anaphylactic or allergic reaction by initiating appropriate treatment, including the competent administration of an Adrenalin Auto Injection Device.
To raise the awareness among the stakeholders about the anaphylaxis and its management through education and implementing this policy.

Scope
These guidelines will apply to the Approved provider, nominated supervisor, Certified supervisor, educators, staff, students on placement, volunteers, parents, children and others attending the service.

Objectives
To minimise the risk of an anaphylactic reaction occurring at our Service by ensuring all staff members are adequately trained to respond appropriately and competently to an anaphylactic or allergic reaction.

Background of Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening.

The most common allergens in children are:

  • Peanuts
  • Eggs
  • Tree nuts (e.g. cashews)
  • Cow’s milk
  • Fish and shellfish
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Sesame
  • Certain insect stings (particularly bee stings)

The key to the prevention of anaphylaxis in Childcare Services is knowledge of those children who have been diagnosed as at risk, awareness of allergens, and prevention of exposure to those allergens.

Communication between the early childhood service and families is important in helping children avoid exposure.

Adrenaline given through an adrenaline auto injector (such as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the muscle of the outer mid-thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis

Procedures

  • We will involve all educators, families and children in regular discussions about medical conditions and general health and wellbeing throughout our curriculum. The Service will adhere to privacy and confidentiality procedures when dealing with individual health needs.
  • A copy of all medical conditions policies will be provided to all educators and volunteers and families of the Service. It is important that communication is open between families and educators to ensure appropriate management of anaphylactic reactions are effective.
  • It is imperative that all educators and volunteers at the service follow a child’s Medical Management Plan in the event of an incident related to a child’s specific health care need, allergy or medical condition.

Approved provider, Nominated Supervisor/ Certified Supervisor will ensure:

  • That all staff members have completed first aid and anaphylaxis management training approved by the Education and Care Services National Regulations at least every 3 years and is recorded, with each staff members’ certificate held on the Service’s premises.
  • That all staff members, whether or not they have a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis undertakes training in the administration of the adrenaline auto-injection device and cardio- pulmonary resuscitation every 12 months, recording this in the staff records.
  • That all staff members are aware of symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, the child at risk of anaphylaxis, the child’s allergies, anaphylaxis action plan and Epi-Pen kit.
  • That a copy of this policy is provided and reviewed during each new staff member’s induction process.
  • A copy of this policy will be provided to a parent or guardian of each child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis at the Service
  • Updated information, resources and support are regularly given to families for managing allergies and anaphylaxis.

In services where a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is enrolled the Nominated Supervisor shall also:

  • Conduct an assessment of the potential for accidental exposure to allergens while child/children at risk of anaphylaxis are in the care of the Service and develop a risk minimisation plan for the Service in consultation with staff and the families of the child/children
  • Ensure that no child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injection device is permitted to attend the service without the device
  • Display an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Inc. (ASCIA) generic poster called Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for each child with a diagnosed risk of anaphylaxis, in key locations at the service, for example, in the children’s room, the staff room or near the medication cabinet
  • Ensure that a child’s individual anaphylaxis medical management action plan is signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner and inserted into the enrolment record for each child. This will outline the allergies and describe the prescribed medication for that child and the circumstances in which the medication should be used
  • Ensure that all staff responsible for the preparation of food are trained in managing the provision of meals for a child with allergies, including high levels of care in preventing cross contamination during storage, handling, preparation and serving of food. Training will also be given in planning appropriate menus including identifying written and hidden sources of food allergens on food labels.
  • Ensure that a notice is displayed prominently in the main entrance of the children’s service stating that a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is being cared for or educated at the Service
  • Ensure that all relief staff members in the Service have completed training in the administration of anaphylaxis management including the administration of an adrenaline auto-injection device, awareness of the symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, the child at risk of anaphylaxis, the child’s allergies, the individual anaphylaxis medical management action plan and the location of the auto-injection device kit
  • Implement the communication strategy and encourage ongoing communication between parents/guardians and staff regarding the status of the child’s allergies, this policy and its implementation
  • Display an Emergency contact card by the telephone
  • Ensure that all staff in the service know the location of the anaphylaxis medical management plan and that a copy is kept with the auto-injection device Kit
  • Ensure that the staff member accompanying children outside the Service carries the anaphylaxis medication and a copy of the anaphylaxis medical management action plan with the auto-injection device kit

Educators will:

  • Ensure a copy of the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan is visible and known to staff in the Service
  • Follow the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan in the event of an allergic reaction, which may progress to anaphylaxis
  • Practice the administration procedures of the adrenaline auto-injection device using an auto-injection device trainer and ‘anaphylaxis scenarios’ on a regular basis, preferably quarterly
  • Ensure the child at risk of anaphylaxis will only eat food that has been prepared according to the parents or guardians instructions.
  • Ensure tables and bench tops are washed down effectively after eating
  • Ensure hand washing for all children upon arrival at the service and before and after eating.
  • Increase supervision of a child at risk of anaphylaxis on special occasions such as excursions, incursions, parties and family days.
  • Ask all parents/guardians as part of the enrolment procedure, prior to their child’s attendance at the Service, whether the child has allergies and document this information on the child’s enrolment record. If the child has severe allergies, ask the parents/guardians to provide a medical management action plan signed by a Registered Medical Practitioner
  • Ensure that an anaphylaxis medical management action plan signed by the child’s Registered Medical Practitioner and a complete auto-injection device kit (which must contain a copy the child’s anaphylaxis medical management action plan) is provided by the parent/guardian for the child while at the Service
  • Ensure that the auto-injection device kit is stored in a location that is known to all staff, including relief staff; easily accessible to adults (not locked away); inaccessible to children; and away from direct sources of heat
  • Ensure that the auto-injection device kit containing a copy of the anaphylaxis medical management action plan for each child at risk of anaphylaxis is carried by a staff member accompanying the child when the child is removed from the service e.g. on excursions that this child attends
  • Regularly check and record the adrenaline auto-injection device expiry date. (The manufacturer will only guarantee the effectiveness of the adrenaline auto-injection device to the end of the nominated expiry month)
  • Provide information to the service community about resources and support for managing allergies and anaphylaxis
  • In the event where a child who has not been diagnosed as allergic, but who appears to be having an anaphylactic reaction:
    1. Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000
    2. Commence first aid measures
    3. Contact the parent/guardian
    4. Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted

In the event that a child suffers from an anaphylactic reaction the Service and staff will:

  1. Follow the child’s anaphylaxis action plan.
  2. Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 000
  3. Commence first aid measures
  4. Contact the parent/guardian
  5. Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted

Families will:

  • Inform staff at the children’s Service, either on enrolment or on diagnosis, of their child’s allergies
  • Develop an anaphylaxis risk minimisation plan with service staff
  • Provide staff with an anaphylaxis medical management action plan signed by the Registered Medical Practitioner giving written consent to use the auto-injection device in line with this action plan
  • Provide staff with a complete auto-injection device kit
  • Regularly check the adrenaline auto-injection device expiry date
  • Assist staff by offering information and answering any questions regarding their child’s allergies
  • Notify the staff of any changes to their child’s allergy status and provide a new anaphylaxis action plan in accordance with these changes
  • Communicate all relevant information and concerns to staff, for example, any matter relating to the health of the child
  • Comply with the service’s policy that no child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injection device is permitted to attend the service or its programs without that device
  • Read and be familiar with the policy and
  • Identify and liaise with the nominated staff member
  • Bring relevant issues to the attention of both staff and licensee

REVIEW

POLICY REVIEWED

July 2019

NEXT REVIEW DATE

July 2020

MODIFICATIONS

Policy created for First Idea Family Day Care Services, inclusive of changes to the National Quality Standards and Education and Care National Regulations

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