Page Contents

• Purpose, Scope

• School statement

• Anaphylaxis

• Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plans

• Location of plans and adrenaline autoinjectors

• Risk Minimisation Strategies

• Adrenaline autoinjectors for general use

• Emergency Response

• Staff training

• Communication of this policy

• Further information and resources

• APPENDIX A

Purpose

To explain to Templestowe College parents, carers, staff and students the processes and procedures in place to support students diagnosed as being at risk of suffering from anaphylaxis. This policy also ensures that Templestowe College is compliant with Ministerial Order 706 and the Department’s guidelines for anaphylaxis management.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• all staff, including casual relief staff and volunteers

• all students who have been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, or who may require emergency treatment for an anaphylactic reaction, and their parents and carers. 

Policy

Templestowe College will fully comply with Ministerial Order 706 and the associated guidelines published by the Department of Education and Training.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs after exposure to an allergen. The most common allergens for school-aged children are nuts, eggs, cow’s milk, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a mild to moderate allergic reaction can include:

• swelling of the lips, face and eyes

• hives or welts

• tingling in the mouth.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, can include:

• difficult/noisy breathing

• swelling of tongue

• difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice

• wheeze or persistent cough

• persistent dizziness or collapse

• student appears pale or floppy

• abdominal pain and/or vomiting.

Symptoms usually develop within ten minutes and up to two hours after exposure to an allergen, but can appear within a few minutes.

Treatment

Adrenaline given as an injection into the muscle of the outer mid-thigh is the first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

Individuals diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis are prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector for use in an emergency. These adrenaline autoinjectors are designed so that anyone can use them in an emergency.

Templestowe College will fully comply with Ministerial Order 706 and the associated guidelines published by the Department of Education and Training.

All students at Templestowe College who are diagnosed by a medical practitioner as being at risk of suffering from an anaphylactic reaction must have an Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan. When notified of an anaphylaxis diagnosis, the principal of Templestowe College is responsible for developing a plan in consultation with the student’s parents/carers.

Where necessary, an Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be in place as soon as practicable after a student enrols at Templestowe College and where possible, before the student’s first day.

Parents and carers must:

• obtain an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis from the student’s medical practitioner and provide a copy to the school as soon as practicable

• immediately inform the school in writing if there is a relevant change in the student’s medical condition and obtain an updated ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis

• provide an up-to-date photo of the student for the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis when that Plan is provided to the school and each time it is reviewed

• provide the school with a current adrenaline autoinjector for the student that has not expired;

• participate in annual reviews of the student’s Plan.

Each student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan must include:

• information about the student’s medical condition that relates to allergies and the potential for anaphylactic reaction, including the type of allergies the student has

• information about the signs or symptoms the student might exhibit in the event of an allergic reaction based on a written diagnosis from a medical practitioner

• strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to known allergens while the student is under the care or supervision of school staff, including in the school yard, at camps and excursions, or at special events conducted, organised or attended by the school

• the name of the person(s) responsible for implementing the risk minimisation strategies, which have been identified in the Plan

• information about where the student's medication will be stored

• the student's emergency contact details

• an up-to-date ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis completed by the student’s medical practitioner.

Review and updates to Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plans

A student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis in consultation with the student’s parents/carers. The plan will also be reviewed and, where necessary, updated in the following circumstances:

• as soon as practicable after the student has an anaphylactic reaction at school

• if the student’s medical condition, insofar as it relates to allergy and the potential for anaphylactic reaction, changes

• when the student is participating in an off-site activity, including camps and excursions, or at special events including fetes and concerts.

Our school may also consider updating a student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan if there is an identified and significant increase in the student’s potential risk of exposure to allergens at school.

Depending on the age of the students in our school community who are at risk of anaphylaxis the severity of their allergies and the content of their plan, some students may keep their adrenaline autoinjector on their persons, rather than in a designated location.  It may also be appropriate to keep copies of the plans in various locations around the school so that the plan is easily accessible by school staff in the event of an incident.  Copies of Action plans are kept in the health centre, canteen, food technology and sports centre.  A Summary sheet with student photo’s are provided to staff in TEAMS and also displayed in staff room offices to assist staff for easy identification of students with anaphylaxis Staff can also digitally use staff platforms to access students with anaphylaxis.

An Example below is a sample only for when students will not keep their adrenaline autoinjectors on their person:

• Excursions, camps out of school activities where it is NOT reasonable for students to keep their autoinjectors on their person

A copy of each student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be stored with their ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis at the General Office, (in filing cabinet clearly marked) together with the Student’ adrenaline autoinjectors  Adrenaline autoinjectors and medications  must be clearly labelled with student’s name..

An Example below is for when students will keep their adrenaline autoinjectors on their person:

• School camps or Excursions where it is reasonable and part of the risk minimisation strategy e.g., overseas travel, excursions in the city

• School emergency e.g. school lockdowns (2nd Adrenaline autoinjector)

• Before and after school (2nd Adrenaline autoinjector)

A copy of each student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be stored with their ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis at General Office . Students are encouraged to keep their 2nd   adrenaline autoinjectors on their person in case of a school emergency (eg lockdown) or to and from school.  Adrenaline autoinjectors for ‘general use’ are also available in the General Office x 2, Canteen x 1  Sports centre x 1, Swing x 1 Health Centre x 2  and Food Technology x 1. These ‘general’ use  autoinjectors are clearly signed to let staff/students know of their locations.

An Example below is a sample  for where some students keep their adrenaline autoinjectors on their person and others store them elsewhere:

• At school where individual management plan indicates that the student should have access to the autoinjector at all times for risk minimisation

• On Camps when two autoinjectors per child are provided (i.e. home use 2nd  auto injector and the autoinjector that is kept at the school)

A copy of each student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be stored with their ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis at General Office. Whilst some students keep their adrenaline autoinjector on their person, medication for those that do not will be stored and labelled with their name at General Office , together with adrenaline autoinjectors for general use.

To reduce the risk of a student suffering from an anaphylactic reaction at Templestowe College, we have put in place the following strategies:

• staff and students are regularly reminded to wash their hands after eating

• students are discouraged from sharing food

• garbage bins at school are to remain covered with lids to reduce the risk of attracting insects

• gloves must be worn when picking up papers or rubbish in the playground;

• school canteen staff are trained in appropriate food handling to reduce the risk of cross-contamination

• classes will be informed of allergens that must be avoided in advance of class parties, events or birthdays

• a general use EpiPen will be stored at the school canteen, sports centre, general office  for ease of access.

• planning for off-site activities will include risk minimisation strategies for students at risk of anaphylaxis including supervision requirements, appropriate number of trained staff, emergency response procedures and other risk controls appropriate to the activity and students attending.

Please see Appendix A for detailed list of risk minimisation strategies.

Templestowe College will maintain a supply of adrenaline autoinjector(s) for general use, as a back-up to those provided by parents and carers for specific students, and also for students who may suffer from a first time reaction at school.

Adrenaline autoinjectors for general use will be stored at General Office x 2, Health Centre x 1 Swing x 1, sports centre x 1, Canteen x 1, Food Tech x 1 and labelled “general use”.

The Principal is responsible for arranging the purchase of adrenaline autoinjectors for general use, and will consider:

• the number of students enrolled at Templestowe College at risk of anaphylaxis

• the accessibility of adrenaline autoinjectors supplied by parents

• the availability of a sufficient supply of autoinjectors for general use in different locations at the school, as well as at camps, excursions and events

• the limited life span of adrenaline autoinjectors, and the need for general use adrenaline autoinjectors to be replaced when used or prior to expiry.

In the event of an anaphylactic reaction, the emergency response procedures in this policy must be followed, together with the school’s general first aid procedures, emergency response procedures and the student’s Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan.

A complete and up-to-date list of students identified as being at risk of anaphylaxis is maintained by Health Centre  and stored at General Office. For camps, excursions and special events, a designated staff member will be responsible for maintaining a list of students at risk of anaphylaxis attending the special event, together with their Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plans and adrenaline autoinjectors, where appropriate.

If a student experiences an anaphylactic reaction at school or during a school activity, school staff must:

If a student appears to be having a severe allergic reaction but has not been previously diagnosed with an allergy or being at risk of anaphylaxis, school staff should follow steps 2 – 5 as above.

Schools can use either the EpiPen® and Anapen® on any student suspected to be experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, regardless of the device prescribed in their ASCIA Action Plan.

Where possible, schools should consider using the correct dose of adrenaline autoinjector depending on the weight of the student. However, in an emergency if there is no other option available, any device should be administered to the student.

If in doubt, it is better to use an adrenaline autoinjector than not use it, even if in hindsight the reaction is not anaphylaxis. Under-treatment of anaphylaxis is more harmful and potentially life threatening than over-treatment of a mild to moderate allergic reaction. Refer to ‘Frequently asked questions’ on the Resources tab of the Department’s Anaphylaxis Policy.

STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE OF AN ANAPHYLACTIC EMERGENCY IN A CLASSROOM

• DRSABCD RING 000

• Stay with the student and reassure them, do not move them.

• Identify the Anaphylactic student and give clear instructions for two responsible students or nearest staff member, the one is to run to the General Office to collect student’s adrenaline autoinjector Kit (Kit contents adrenaline auto injector, ASCIA action plan, Individual Management plan, and may include mediation and Ventolin depending on the Action Plan) .  This will alert the General Office that we have an anaphylactic emergency The General Office will inform the Principal Team and print off the CASES Student Medical Report (SMC21001) to hand over to paramedics. Contact the parents/guardians of the Anaphylactic student.

• Once the adrenaline autoinjector is at the scene, a member of staff or the student them self must check the expiry date, clarity of the liquid and administer the adrenalin, noting the time of administration.

• A person who has received an adrenaline injection must go to hospital for further observation. It will be the responsibility of the person who called the ambulance to organise for it to be met at the most convenient entrance and directed to the student.

• Notify parents/guardians

• When possible, report the incident to the First aid Officer or Assistant Principal for documentation and DET emergency management notification

IN THE SCHOOL YARD

• DRSABCD RING 000

• Stay with the student and reassure them, do not move them.

• Identify the Anaphylactic student and give clear instructions for two responsible students or nearest staff member, the one is to run to the General Office to collect student’s adrenaline autoinjector Kit.  This will alert the General Office that we have an anaphylactic emergency The General Office will inform the Principal Team and print off the CASES Student Medical Report (SMC21001) to hand over to paramedics. Contact the parents/guardians of the Anaphylactic student.

• Once the adrenaline autoinjector is at the scene, a member of staff or the student them self must check the expiry date, clarity of the liquid and administer the adrenalin, noting the time of administration.

• A person who has received an adrenaline injection must go to hospital for further observation. It will be the responsibility of the person who called the ambulance to organise for it to be met at the most convenient entrance and directed to the student.

• Notify parents/guardians

• When possible, report the incident to the First aid Officer or Assistant Principal for documentation and DET emergency management notification

SCHOOL EXCURSIONS

• The staff member organising the excursion will print off Compass handbook to identify students who have anaphylaxis and ensure that the student’s adrenaline autoinjector Kit are collected from the General Office before leaving the school and that an Anaphylaxis trained staff member accompanies the student and to take a second generic Auto injector.

• The student is to carry their own second Auto injector with them at all times

• Stay with the student and reassure them, do not move them

• DRSABCD RING 000

• A staff member or the student them self must check the expiry date, clarity of the liquid and administer the Epi-Pen, noting the time of administration

• A person who has received an adrenaline injection must go to hospital for further observation. It will be the responsibility of the person who called the ambulance to organise for it to be met at the most convenient entrance and directed to the student.

• Notify parents/guardians

• When possible report the incident to the first Aid Officer or Assistant Principal for documentation and DET emergency management notification

SCHOOL CAMPS

• The staff member organising the camp will ensure that the students adrenaline autoinjector Kit (Kit includes adrenaline autoinjector, Ventolin, medication, ASCIA Action Plan and Individual Management plan )  are collected from the General Office before leaving the school and that an Anaphylaxis trained staff member accompanies the students

• Include in the camp first aid kit a generic adrenaline autoinjector

• The student is to carry their own second adrenaline autoinjector with them at all times

• Stay with the student and reassure them, do not move them

• DRSABCD RING 000

• A staff member or the student them self must check the expiry date, clarity of the liquid and administer the Epi-Pen, noting the time of administration.

• A person who has received an adrenaline injection must go to hospital for further observation. It will be the responsibility of the person who called the ambulance to organise for it to be met at the most convenient entrance and directed to the student.

• Notify parents/guardians

• When possible report the incident to the Camp Co-ordinator, First aid officer or Assistant Principal for documentation and DET emergency management notification

SPECIAL EVENT DAYS

• A nominated First Aid/Anaphylaxis trained staff member will ensure that the students Auto injector and Action plan  (students anaphylaxis kit) are collected from the General Office before leaving the school and will accompany the student to the event.

• The student is to carry their own second adrenaline autoinjector with them at all times

• First Aid Kit to carry adrenaline autoinjector generic

• DRSABCD RING 000

• Stay with the student and reassure them, do not move them

• A staff member or the student them self must check the expiry date, clarity of the liquid and administer the Epi-Pen, noting the time of administration.

• A person who has received an adrenaline injection must go to hospital for further observation. It will be the responsibility of the person who called the ambulance to organise for it to be met at the most convenient entrance and directed to the student.

• Notify parents/guardians

• When possible report the incident to the First Aid Officer or Assistant Principal for documentation and DET emergency management notification

The Principal will ensure that the following school staff are appropriately trained in anaphylaxis management:

• School staff who conduct classes attended by students who are at risk of anaphylaxis

• All School staff who conduct specialist classes, all canteen staff, admin staff, first aiders and any other member of school staff as required by the Principal based on a risk assessment.

All Staff who are required to undertake training must have completed:

• an approved face-to-face anaphylaxis management training course in the last three years, or

• an approved online anaphylaxis management training course in the last two years.

Templestowe College uses the following training course, e.g. ASCIA eTraining course for all staff and 22579VIC / 22578VIC / 10710NAT for Anaphylaxis supervisors.

Staff are also required to attend a briefing on anaphylaxis management and this policy at least twice per year (with the first briefing to be held at the beginning of the school year), facilitated by a staff member who has successfully completed an anaphylaxis management course within the last 2 years including Principal or School Anaphylaxis Supervisor Each briefing will address:

• this policy

• the causes, symptoms and treatment of anaphylaxis

• the identities of students with a medical condition that relates to allergies and the potential for anaphylactic reaction, and where their medication is located

• how to use an adrenaline autoinjector, including hands on practice with a trainer adrenaline autoinjector

• the school’s general first aid and emergency response procedures

• the location of, and access to, adrenaline autoinjectors that have been provided by parents or purchased by the school for general use.

When a new student enrols at Templestowe College who is at risk of anaphylaxis, the Principal will develop an interim plan in consultation with the student’s parents and ensure that appropriate staff are trained and briefed as soon as possible.

A record of staff training courses and briefings will be maintained under the School’s internal hard drive.

The Principal will ensure that while students at risk of anaphylaxis are under the care or supervision of the school outside of normal class activities, including in the school yard, at camps and excursions, or at special event days, there is a sufficient number of school staff present who have been trained in anaphylaxis management.

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

• Available publicly on the school website

• Included in staff induction processes

• Included in transition correspondence to new families

• Included in our Anaphylaxis/Asthma briefing twice yearly as per DET guidelines

• Annually referenced in Next Week @TC

• Hard copy available from school administration upon request

The principal is responsible for ensuring that all relevant staff, including casual relief staff, canteen staff and volunteers are aware of this policy and Templestowe College’s procedures for anaphylaxis management. Casual relief staff and volunteers who are responsible for the care and/or supervision of students who are identified as being at risk of anaphylaxis will also receive a verbal briefing on this policy by the daily organiser/assistant principal, their role in responding to an anaphylactic reaction and where required, the identity of students at risk.

The Principal is also responsible for ensuring relevant staff are trained and briefed in anaphylaxis management, consistent with the Department’s Anaphylaxis Guidelines.

The Department’s Policy and Advisory Library (PAL):

• Anaphylaxis Policy and Resources (DET)

External Resources:

• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia

• ASCIA Guidelines:  Schooling and childcare

• Royal Children’s Hospital: Allergy and immunology

Related TC Polices:

• Administration of Medicine Policy

• Asthma Policy

• Health Care Needs Policy

• First Aid Policy 

Extended Risk Minimisation Strategies

GENERAL POLICY ISSUES

Part-Time Educators/ Education Support /Casual relief teachers (CRT)

These educators will be notified of the identities of students at risk of anaphylaxis and will be aware of the anaphylaxis management plan at the school. If casual staff have not received training in anaphylaxis management and emergency treatment, this will be considered when a teacher is chosen for a class with a student at risk of anaphylaxis and if this teacher is on playground/yard duty.

Suggestions to minimise the risk:

• Casual staff, who work at school regularly, will be included in anaphylaxis training sessions.

• TC has interim educational tools such as adrenaline autoinjector training devices and access to ‘how to administer’ videos available to all staff.

• Casual staff will be required to complete the ASCIA eLearning module and Auto Injector verification course and attend two Anaphylaxis briefings a year.

Fundraising events/special events/cultural days

• Students at risk of Anaphylaxis should be encouraged to supply their own food and avoid unlabelled or shared food.

• Other students should be discouraged from bringing ‘unsafe’ food.

• Communication to parents via Compass to be aware of the event

• Students with anaphylaxis should be made aware of not sharing food with each other.

The following areas of risk minimisation is listed alphabetically.

ANIMAL ALLERGY

• Exposure to animals such as domestic dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, mice, guinea pigs and horses may trigger contact rashes, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sometimes asthma.

• Severe allergic reactions are rare but may occur, and are of potential relevance with activities such as “show and tell”, or visits to farms or zoos. Importantly, animal feed may sometimes contain food allergens (e.g. nuts in birdseed and cow feed, milk and egg in dog food, fish in fish food).

• If a student has an egg allergy, they may still wish to participate in activities such as hatching chickens in class, with close supervision and washing of their hands following handling of chickens

Art and craft classes

• Ensure containers used by students at risk of anaphylaxis do not contain allergens (e.g. egg white or yolk on an egg carton).

• Activities such as face painting or mask making (when moulded on the face of the child), should be discussed with students prior to the event, as products used may contain food allergens such as peanut, tree nut, milk or egg.

Canteen and Food Technology

• Strategies to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction can include:

• Consideration of whether the canteen offers foods containing nuts (as a listed ingredient).

• Staff (including volunteer helpers) educated on food handling procedures and risk of cross contamination of foods.

• Restriction on who serves children with food allergy when they go to the canteen. Canteen staff at TC  have undergone the ASCIA eLearning module and Epi-pen verification course.

• Photos of the students at risk of anaphylaxis are placed in the canteen and food tech kitchen.

• A Generic Adrenaline Auto injectors are stored both in Canteen and Food Tech for Students at risk from Anaphylaxis.

• Encourage parents or guardians of students with allergy to enquire about alternative  products available.

Class pets, pet visitors, school farmyard

• Be aware that some animal feed contains food allergens (e.g. nuts in birdseed and cow feed, milk and egg in dog food, fish in fish food).

• Have a strategy to reduce risk of the students with egg allergy that may come into contact with raw egg if there are chickens in the farmyard that enables them to still participate.

• Incursions (onsite activities)

• Prior discussion with parents/students if incursions/on-site activities include any food activities.

Excursions

Teachers organising/attending excursions or sporting events should plan an emergency response procedure prior to the event. This should outline the roles and responsibilities of teachers attending, if an anaphylaxis occurs.

Staff will also:

• Carry mobile phones. Prior to event, check that mobile phone reception is available and if not, consider other forms of emergency communication (e.g. walkie talkie, satellite phone).

• Consider increased supervision depending on the size of the excursion/sporting event (e.g. if students are split into groups at large venue such as a zoo or at large sports venue for a sports/athletics carnival).

• Discourage eating on buses.

• Check if excursion includes a food related activity, if so discuss with the parent or guardian.

• Ensure that all staff are aware of the location of the emergency medical kit containing the adrenaline autoinjector and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and ensure the child at risk of anaphylaxis is in the care of the person carrying the adrenaline autoinjector.

• Check that all students at risk of Anaphylaxis are carrying their own adrenaline autoinjector (as agreed in the policy)

FOOD ALLERGY

Food rewards

• Food rewards should be discouraged and non-food rewards encouraged.

• If food rewards are being used, parents or guardians should be given the opportunity to provide a clearly labelled ‘treat box’ for their student.

Class parties or birthday celebrations

• Discuss these activities with the student with allergy well in advance.

• Communicate with parent/guardian for example via Compass

• A student at risk of anaphylaxis should not share food brought in by other students. Ideally they should bring their own food.

• A student can participate in spontaneous birthday celebrations by parents supplying ‘treat box’ or safe food supplied in a sealed container.

Cooking/food technology

• Engage parents or guardians in discussions prior to cooking sessions and activities using food.

• Remind all students to not share food they have cooked with others at school including during morning tea and lunch breaks.

Science experiments

• Engage parents in discussion prior to experiments containing foods.

In the school yard

Litter duty

• Non rubbish collecting duties are encouraged.

• Students at risk of insect sting anaphylaxis should be excused from this duty due to increased risk of allergen contact.

• Students at risk of food allergy anaphylaxis are exempt from rubbish pick up duties to avoid skin contact with potential allergens.

Sunscreen

• Parents of children at risk of anaphylaxis should be informed that sunscreen is offered to children. They may want to provide their own as some sunscreens may contain nut oils.

Sustainability Gardens

• Avoid the cultivation of nut bearing crops and trees

• As school gardens are considered part of the educational program, peanuts and tree nuts should be excluded from future garden plantings in future.

INSECT ALLERGY

Bees, wasps, stinging ants

• Have honey bee and wasp nests removed by a professional;

• Cover garbage receptacles that may attract stinging insects.

• When purchasing plants for an existing or new garden, consider those less likely to attract bees and wasps.

• Specify play areas that are lower risk and encourage the student and their peers to play in these areas (e.g. away from garden beds or garbage storage areas).

• Ensure students wear appropriate clothing and covered shoes when outdoors.

• Be aware of bees in pools, around water and in grassed or garden areas.

• Educate students to avoid drinking from open drink containers, particularly those containing sweet drinks that may attract stinging insects.

• Students with food and insect allergy should not be asked to pick up litter by hand. Where possible, these types of duties should not put them at increased risk of an allergic reaction.

LATEX ALLERGY

Latex allergy is relatively rare in children, but where such individuals are identified non-latex gloves (e.g. sick bay, first aid kits, canteens, kitchens) should be made available.

• Consideration may also need to be made for non-latex swimming caps. (e.g. interschool sports carnivals).

• Non-latex balloons should also be considered when there is a student enrolled with latex allergy.

MEDICATION ALLERGY

• Severe allergic reactions to medications are relatively rare in young children outside of the hospital setting. Nonetheless, documentation regarding known or suspected medication allergy should be recorded by the school on enrolment.

• Any medication administered in the school setting should be undertaken in accordance with school and education services department guidelines and with the written permission of parents or guardians.

• Students in secondary school need to be reminded that they should not share medications (e.g. for period pain or headaches).

Music

• There should be no sharing of wind instruments (e.g. recorders).

• Teacher should discuss with the parent or guardian about providing the child’s own instrument where appropriate.

School camps

Parents of students at risk of anaphylaxis should have a face to face meeting with school staff/camp coordinator prior to the camp to discuss the following:

School’s emergency response procedures should clearly outline roles and responsibilities of the teachers in policing prevention strategies and their roles and responsibilities in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.

All teachers will be fully trained in the Emergency Management of an Anaphylaxis episode and will:

• Demonstrate correct administration of adrenaline autoinjectors using training devices (Adrenaline Autoinjector) prior to camp.

• Consider contacting local emergency services and hospital prior to camp and advise that x number of students are in attendance at x location on x date including students at risk of anaphylaxis. Ascertain location of closest hospital, ability of ambulance to get to camp site area (e.g. consider locked gates in remote areas).

• Confirm mobile phone network coverage for standard mobile phones prior to camp. If no access to mobile phone network, alternative needs to be discussed and arranged.

• Parents or guardians should be encouraged to provide two adrenaline autoinjectors along with the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and any other required medications whilst the student is on the camp. The second adrenaline autoinjector should be returned to the parents/guardian on returning from camp.

• Clear advice should be communicated to all parents or guardians prior to camp regarding what foods are not allowed.

• Parents or guardians of students at risk of anaphylaxis and school staff need to communicate about food for the duration of the camp.

• Parents or guardians should also communicate directly with the catering staff and discuss food options/menu, food brands, cross contamination risks to determine the safest food choices for their student.

• Parents or guardians may prefer to provide all student’s food for the duration of the camp. This is the safest option. If this is the case, storage and heating of food needs to be organised.

• Discussions by school staff and parents or guardians with the operators of the camp facility should be undertaken well in advance of camp. Example of topics that need to be discussed would be:

  • Possibility of removal of nuts from menu for the duration of the camp (if nut allergic student attending camp).

  • Creation of strategies to help reduce the risk of an allergic reaction where the allergen cannot be removed (e.g. egg, milk, wheat). A decision may be made to remove pavlova as an option for dessert if an egg allergic child is attending for example.

• Awareness of cross contamination of allergens in general (e.g. during storage, preparation and serving of food).

• Discussion of the menu for the duration of the camp including morning and afternoon teas and suppers.

• Games and activities should not involve the use of peanut or tree nut products or any other known allergens.

• Camp organisers need to consider domestic activities that they assign to students on camp. It is safer to have the child with food allergy set tables, for example, rather than clear plates and clean up

Ticks

Strategies to reduce the risk of tick exposure have been recently published. When walking or working in areas where ticks are endemic:

• Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Tuck pants into long socks and wear a wide brimmed hat.

• Wear light coloured clothing, which makes it easier to see ticks.

• Use insect repellent to skin and clothing when walking in areas where ticks are found

• Brush clothes to remove ticks before coming inside.

• Undress and check for ticks daily, checking carefully on the neck and scalp.

Anaphylaxis to tick bites usually occurs when the tick is disturbed, such as with scratching the bite, with attempts at deliberate removal or after application of irritant chemicals such as kerosene. If a tick bite is suspected, the tick should not be removed, but rather killed by use of an ether containing spray to freeze dry the tick to prevent it from injecting more allergen-containing saliva.

Further information is available from Tick Allergy - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and or TIARA - Tick Induced Allergies Research and Awareness