School Food Allergy Emergency Plans are Essential for Crisis Management

Newswise — Approximately eighty-four percent of students with food allergies will have a reaction in school, and 25 percent of first reactions occur in schools. The prevalence of potentially life-threatening food allergies in school-aged children highlights the importance of an accurate emergency plan for food allergies.

A recent study in The Journal of School Nursing compared food allergy emergency plans in Illinois schools to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN) Standard Plan. Although two-thirds of respondents currently utilized food allergy plans, only 15 percent of those used the current FAAN plan. In the plans studied, essential elements, such as emergency contact information, medication administration instructions, and health history information were missing components in the plans studied.

Before a child reaches school age, parents are able to control the environment and food available for their child. School-age children are able to make their own choices on what to eat, whether from the school-provided lunch or from other students. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), there is an increased risk of unintentional food allergen exposure while at school. A safe environment and timely and proper procedures when a food reaction occurs at school are crucial to the well-being of school children.

School nurses should prepare a food allergy emergency plan following the FAAN Standard plan. Alterations or deviations from the plan are unnecessary and risky and can make emergency care ineffective and more difficult. A proper plan includes symptoms of allergic reaction, correct steps to stop the reaction, and emergency contacts. Research has shown that many schools don't have written emergency plans, and when they do, school personnel do not feel comfortable with when and how to use epinephrine.

Food allergy emergency plans are essential in giving complete care to children with food allergy reactions, and it is imperative for these plans to reflect the most current clinical guidelines. To read the entire analysis of current school plans and to obtain a Food Allergy Action Plan template, please click here: http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/SCNU-023-05-0252.pdf.

The Journal of School Nursing is the peer-reviewed, bimonthly journal of the National Association of School Nurses. The Journal of School Nursing provides a forum for advancing the specialty of school nursing and promoting the professional growth of school nurses. For more information about the association, please visit http://www.nasn.org.