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EASTON AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
No. 209.2
SECTION:
PUPILS
TITLE:
SEVERE
ALLERGY/ANAPHYLAXIS
ADOPTED:
DECEMBER 17, 2009
REVISED:
209.2. SEVERE ALLERGY/ANAPHYLAXIS
1.
Purpose
Easton Area School District Board of Directors is committed to providing a safe and
healthy environment for all its students and employees, and concurrently, to protect
the rights of each individual (or all concerned). Severe allergy/anaphylaxis is a
health condition that can lead to rapid death; therefore, special preparations are
necessary to protect individuals with this condition.
2.
Authority
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to prepare detailed administrative
procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. The purpose of
this policy shall be two-fold: to safeguard the health and well-being of students and
employees and, concurrently, to protect the rights of the individual.
3.
Definitions
Anaphylaxis sometimes called “allergic shock” - is a severe reaction resulting from
exposure to an allergen or allergens, which can lead to rapid death if untreated.
Peanuts are the most common allergen causing anaphylaxis in school students. Other
foods most frequently implicated in anaphylaxis are tree nuts (e.g. hazelnuts,
walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, cashews), cow’s milk, and eggs. Fish, shellfish, wheat,
and soy are potentially lethal allergens as well, and anaphylaxis is occasionally
induced by fruits and other foods. Non-food triggers of anaphylaxis reactions
include insect venom, medications, latex, and rarely, vigorous exercise. Anaphylaxis
is a life-threatening condition regardless of the substance that triggers it.
Food Allergy - a food allergy is any reaction to an otherwise harmless food or
component that involves the body’s immune system. A reaction occurs when the
body’s immune system responds abnormally to the protein or proteins in that
particular food. The body reacts by flooding the system with histamines and other
chemicals to fight off what is perceived as an invader in the body. Reactions to food
or food ingredients that do not involve the immune system are called food
intolerance or sensitivities.
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Food Intolerance - food intolerance is a metabolic disorder and does not involve the
immune system. Lactose intolerance is one (1) example of food intolerance. A
person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar.
When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal
pain may occur.
Common Food Allergens - common foods that are associated with food allergy are
milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
The greatest risk of exposure is in new situations, or when normal daily routines are
interrupted by activities like birthday parties, camping, or school trips. Young
students are at greatest risk of accidental exposure, but many allergists believe that
more deaths occur among teenagers due to their increased independence, peer
pressure, and reluctance to carry medication.
Protecting the individual with severe allergy/anaphylaxis involves three (3) major
considerations:
1.
Avoid the allergen trigger.
2.
Recognize the occurrence of an allergic reaction.
3.
Provide immediate appropriate treatment.
While the Board of School Directors cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment,
the Board will make every reasonable accommodation to ensure a safe environment
for individuals with life-threatening allergies.
Severe Allergy - any reaction to an otherwise harmless food, food component, or
non-food items that involves the body’s immune system. A reaction occurs when the
body’s immune system responds abnormally to the protein or proteins in that
particular food. The body reacts by flooding the system with histamines and other
chemicals to fight off what is perceived as an invader in the body. Reactions to food
or food ingredients that do not involve the immune system are called food
intolerance or sensitivities.
4.
Guidelines
It is recommended that the following information be disseminated to students, staff,
and parents/guardians annually.
Students
1.
Never take food allergies lightly. Students should not joke or tease other students
about allergies.
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2.
Never try to trick someone into eating food they are allergic to.
3.
Do not share food with food allergic friends.
4.
Wash hands before and after eating.
5.
Help allergic friends by knowing about their condition.
6.
Immediately tell a teacher, aide, or an administrator when someone has an
allergic reaction.
5.
Delegation of
Responsibility
Parents/Guardians
1.
Contact the school nurse each year to complete and/or update all medical
records, including specific information pertaining to any and all known allergies.
Provide prompt updates.
2.
Provide written documentation from the attending physician to the school nurse
regarding the specific allergy, severity and treatment.
3.
Provide an up-to-date supply of the medication prescribed by the physician and
immediate replacements for medication used.
4.
When providing snacks and/or treats for classroom parties or events,
consideration should be given for students with food allergies.
School Staff
1.
The school nurse will consult with the school district physician on an as-needed
basis and will review the medical records and documentation from the attending
physician on the student’s allergy. The student will be referred to the Child Study
team to determine if the student meets the criteria as a “disabled” student. If it is
determined the student has a disability, the school nurse, in consultation with the
student, the student’s parents/guardians, the administration and the prescribing
physician, will develop an Individual Health Care Plan (IHP). This plan will
meet all requirements of state and federal laws and will utilize currently
recognized standards of school health care for students with a severe
allergy/anaphylaxis. The IHP will include an Emergency Health Care Plan.
2.
Regardless of the allergy, the district will not support a complete ban of specific
or nonspecific food in the school district that may contribute to the student’s
allergy unless approved by the Board of School Directors.
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3.
A peanut/nut-free table will be made available in all school cafeterias. If a child
has severe allergic reaction to peanuts, the parent/guardian is responsible to
supply a peanut-free barrier (placemat) for the said child to use in the school
cafeteria.
4.
All staff members (teaching and nonteaching) and bus contractors will be
informed of the identity (name, appearance, photograph, etc.) of an individual
with a severe allergy in the building, preferably before, but if necessary,
immediately after the individual begins to attend class or begins employment. All
staff members and bus contractors who have responsibility for direct supervision
of the allergic student will receive a copy of the Emergency Health Care Plan.
Additional copies of the Emergency Health Care Plan will be placed in key
locations as designated by the school nurse.
5.
Classroom teachers are responsible for keeping emergency information about the
students with severe allergy/anaphylaxis where it will be highly visible and
readily understood by substitute teachers, educational assistants and classroom
volunteers.
6.
School nurses will provide staff members in buildings attended by students with
severe allergies/anaphylaxis a list of said students and will provide annual
inservice training, which will cover:
a.
School policies regarding protection of the anaphylactic individual from
exposure to allergens.
b.
How to recognize and treat anaphylactic reactions.
c.
Use of epinephrine auto-injector.
d.
The school’s emergency response protocol.
e.
AHA, F/A, CPR, AED training, including signs and symptoms of severe
allergy and equipment training available upon request.
7.
Bus contractors may provide that drivers of buses ridden by students with severe
allergy/anaphylaxis receive training on how to recognize and treat anaphylactic
reactions, use of epinephrine auto-injector, and the protocol to be followed for
medical emergencies on the bus.
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References:
School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 510
State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 12.41
Board Policy – 210