Page 22 - Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings, 3rd Edition Revised
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The entire student population should be educated regarding the seriousness of anaphylaxis and be taught how to help their peers. This could be achieved through general awareness sessions in an assembly or a special health lesson. Peers should be taught that bullying and teasing students at risk of anaphylaxis is unacceptable. Bullying and teasing incidents should be dealt with immediately.
The school should have readily available first-aid kits that contain an epinephrine auto-injector. Schools should consider keeping kits in designated areas where the likelihood of an allergic reaction occurring may be higher, e.g. lunch rooms or cafeterias. Epinephrine auto-injectors come in two dosages (i.e. 0.15 mg and 0.30 mg) and are prescribed based on a person’s weight. (Expiry dates should be checked on a periodic basis, e.g. September and January.)
Foodservice & Bus Companies
During contract negotiations with foodservice companies, catering services, and bus companies, school boards should consider a company’s allergen management policy and anaphylaxis training as part of the evaluation criteria. Although they are not typically school board employees, foodservice staff and bus drivers are often in regular contact with students at risk of anaphylaxis. As such, they play a key role in helping to create safe environments and knowing what to do in an emergency. Consideration should be given to the following:
Foodservice companies operating in a school setting are responsible for ensuring that their personnel are trained to reduce the risk of cross-contamination through purchasing, handling, preparation, and serving of food. The contents of foods served in school cafeterias and brought in for special events should be clearly identified.
Bus companies should include anaphylaxis training as part of the regular first-aid training which drivers are required to complete. Bus companies are encouraged to establish and enforce a ‘no eating’ rule during daily travel on school buses. (For long excursions, there may be occasions where students eat on the bus. It is recommended that proper education and precautions be taken to minimize the risk of exposure.)
Staff at both foodservice and bus companies should participate in the school’s anaphylaxis training, which includes the identification of students at risk, recognition of signs and symptoms, and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. With parental permission, foodservice staff and school bus drivers should have access to students’ Anaphylaxis Emergency Plans.
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Anaphylaxis in Schools & Other Settings
© 2005-2016 Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Consensus Statement
