Allergy Management Policy

Transcription

1 Allergy Management Policy Awareness in the Classrooms All Saints Catholic School Warren Road Canton, MI

2 Information and Guidelines For School and Parents All Saints Catholic School is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for students. All Saints understands the increasing prevalence of life threatening allergies among school populations. Recognizing that the risk of accidental exposure to allergens can be reduced in the school setting, All Saints Catholic School is committed to working in cooperation with parents, students, and physicians, to minimize risks and provide a safe educational environment for all students. The focus of allergy management shall be on prevention, education, awareness, communication, and emergency response. Who is responsible for what? OFFICE STAFF: Notify teachers (homeroom and specials) of specific allergies on class rosters Ensure an up to date list of emergency contacts Provide in-service on anaphylaxis to all school personnel Ensure medications/epi-pen is appropriately stored in an unlocked area HOMEROOM TEACHERS: Post Allergy Plans in room Take Epi-Pen and/or medication and cellular phone/arrange phone access on all field trips PARENT/GUARDIAN: Submit allergy plan to main office with doctor signature every year Inform school every year of your child s allergy and give updated emergency contacts Provide safe snacks for celebrations (given to teacher) LUNCHROOM SUPERVISOR/PARENTS: Attend food allergy training and become familiar with the students allergy plans Thoroughly clean all allergy-sensitive tables and chairs before lunch and between each lunch session Post the students action plans in the eating/serving area; know where the emergency medication is located and ensure easy accessibility during the lunch period. Assign a person responsible for monitoring the food allergy table for reactions, food sharing, students permitted to sit at the table

3 Allergy Action Plans ASCS will accept a standardized action plan format that requires a doctor s signature. Every child with a known allergy must have a food allergy action plan in place. Parents are responsible to submit information each year to the main office. The office will copy this information into the database, post in all necessary locations (sick room, lunchroom, etc.), and provide plans to the homeroom teacher. Peanut Free Classrooms (Preschool-Grade 3) At the beginning of each year, certain classrooms in grades preschool through grade 3 will be designated allergy-sensitive classrooms. Signs will be clearly posted and information will be sent home to all parents regarding policies within the classroom. Peanut Free Homerooms (Grades 4-6) At the beginning of each year, certain homeroom classes in grades 4-6 will be designated allergy-sensitive. Students assigned to these allergy-sensitive classes will have information sent home to all parents regarding accepted snacks. Peanut Free Snack Classrooms (Grades 7-8) At the beginning of each year, the snack period for students in grades 7 and 8 will be established. Certain snack classrooms will be designated allergy-sensitive and students within the classroom will have information sent home to parents regarding accepted snacks. Procedures for Peanut Free Table The allergy-free table will be clearly distinguished. The tables will be wiped down using separate allergy-sensitive cloth (white cloth) and separate spray bottles. These items will be located on the milk cooler next to the kitchen. Students sitting at the allergy free table need to wash hands before and after lunch. Parent volunteers working at the allergy free table should wash hands before helping any student at the table.

4 ASCS Training Protocol Staff Training Level I Level I: All School Personnel q Provide overview of policy and food allergies Including: define food allergy define anaphylaxis list major allergens, q Review signs and symptoms of food allergy and anaphylaxis q Review best practices for preventing exposure to food allergens(food and non-food items) q Review ASCS q Train, practice and evaluate staff administration of epinephrine auto-injector Parent Volunteer Training Level II Level II: Parent Volunteers Lunchroom q Review ASCS q Take food allergy tutorial q Complete signature sheet after policies are reviewed

5 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN To respond effectively during an emergency, a routine has been established and practiced, similar to a fire drill. During an emergency: 1. Administer the auto-injector Be prepared to administer the epinephrine auto injector, immediately, at the first sign of an anaphylactic sign or symptom. One person stays with the individual to monitor the person until medical aid arrives One person goes for help or calls for help. 2. Call 911. Call person is to inform the emergency operator that a student/individual is having an anaphylactic reaction. (Note: use the terminology anaphylactic reaction.) The call person should know the address of the school, the names of the closest cross streets and the entrance location. Inform the principal and/or first aid provider Access the student s other auto-injector and bring it to the location of the anaphylactic person. 3. Contact parents, as soon as reasonably possible, informing them of their child s medical situation and the hospital their child was taken. 4. Transfer care to paramedics. Have an individual meet the ambulance at the appropriate entrance and take the ambulance personnel to the location of the student Provide the paramedics with a copy of the child s Anaphylaxis Emergency Treatment Plan. Notify the paramedics of the time(s) that the medication was administered. Notes: A person should stay with the child at all times. It is important to note the time of administration of the first epinephrine auto-injector so that you know how long it has been since the child received the first dose of epinephrine. The use of epinephrine for a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction will not harm a normally healthy child, even if epinephrine was not required. If an anaphylactic emergency occurs, both the school anaphylaxis plan and the child's Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan should be reviewed and amended as necessary.

6 Appendix A Beginning of the School Year Homeroom Letter (Allergy-Free Classroom) Dear Parents, This letter is to inform you that a student in your child s classroom has a severe allergy. Strict avoidance of products is the only way to prevent a life threatening allergic reaction. We are asking your assistance in providing the student with a safe learning environment. If exposed to the student may develop a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment. The greatest potential for exposure at school is to products. To reduce the risk of exposure, the classroom will be free. Please do not send any containing products for your child to eat during snack in the classroom. Any exposure to through contact or ingestion can cause a severe reaction. If your child has eaten prior to coming to school, please be sure your child s hands have been thoroughly washed prior to entering the school. Since lunch is eaten in the cafeteria, your child may bring products for lunch. In the cafeteria there will be a designated allergen-free table where any classmate without products can sit. This plan will help to maintain safety in the classroom while allowing non allergic classmates to enjoy products in a controlled environment. We appreciate your support of these procedures. We have also attached a list of acceptable food items that can be brought into the classroom. After reading through the material, please complete and return this form so that we are certain that every family has received this information. If you have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, (Teacher Name) I have read and understand the classroom procedures. I agree to do my part in keeping the classroom free. Child s Name: Parent s Signature: Date:

7 Appendix B Peanut Safe Lunchtime Participation Letter With your consent your child can help create a safe and fun peanut cautious environment! Please Check: Yes, when I pack a peanut free lunch I will insert a card each day that reads peanut free and write a quick note to the teacher to let her know my child has a peanut free lunch. Yes, my child will gladly participate in the rotational hot lunch program on days we order hot lunches! No Thanks; peanut butter is staple item in my child s lunch. Additional Considerations/Feedback: Student Name: Homeroom Teacher: