Anaphylaxis Preparedness

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Allergic reactions to foods have become the most common cause of anaphylaxis in community health settings. Studies indicate that anaphylactic events related to the accidental consumption of food allergens in school settings are not rare.  In addition, severe and potentially life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur in schools when children with no previous diagnosis of food allergies when they are exposed to allergens at school and have an initial anaphylactic event.

Policy:  It is the policy of the Mountain Brook City Schools that an Anaphylaxis Preparedness Program be implemented as part of the school health services.

The program shall incorporate three levels of preparedness:

Level I, Primary Prevention: Education programs that address food allergies and anaphylaxis through both classroom and individual instruction for staff and students.

Level II, Secondary Prevention:  Identification and management of chronic illness which could lead to anaphylaxis.

Level III, Tertiary Prevention:  The development of a planned response to anaphylaxis-related emergency in the school setting.

Each school campus, in collaboration with a supervising physician, shall develop and maintain a protocol for emergency response that shall include a supply of premeasured autoinjectable epinephrine to treat potentially life threatening allergic reactions.

References:

Alabama State Law Act#2014-405, HB156