How to Create an Anaphylactic Emergency Procedure Plan for Your School or District

Emergency allergic reactions can happen anytime, anywhere.

Anaphylaxis is a serious, and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylactic reactions can occur from allergies to foods, insect stings, medications and latex. Signs of anaphylaxis include:

Skin: rashes, hives, itching, redness Mouth: swelling lips, tongue and throat Breathing: difficulty breathing, shortness of breath Stomach: stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea Heart: dizziness, fainting, weak pulse

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created a clinical report, Guidance on Completing a Written Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan.  The emergency care plan provides teachers, administrators and school staff with the best course of action in the event of an anaphylactic emergency for students that are at risk.

The AAP suggests that prompt administration of epinephrine in the event of an anaphylactic event can lead to the most optimal outcome. The benefits of epinephrine:

Improves breathing Reverses hives Decreases swelling Stimulates heart Raises blood pressure

In TESS, the Anaphylactic Student Emergency Procedure Plan allows parents and the school to develop an emergency plan with individual student’s unique needs in mind. The plan details the pertinent student and contact information, allergies, symptoms, emergency protocol, emergency medication and dosage, and location(s) of epinephrine auto-injectors.