Anaphylaxis Protection

Date came into force or revised

Issued September 2007. Updated in 2009.

Status

Current

Policy statement

To protect students with an anaphylactic allergy and severe asthma, every Board of Education must establish and maintain policy and procedures relating to anaphylaxis and ensure that they are available to the public.

Rationale or purpose of policy

This policy supports Boards of Education in preventing serious reactions and deaths due to anaphylaxis. It provides evidence-based, strategic direction to assist boards in their capacity to address anaphylaxis in a school setting.

Authority

Anaphylaxis Protection Order

Policy in full

Boards of education must maintain policy and procedures relating to anaphylaxis. These policies and procedures must meet the requirements set out in the Anaphylaxis Protection Order and the BC Anaphylactic and Child Safety Framework.

The Framework provides Boards of Education with a broad overview of the key elements that must be addressed to ensure consistent appropriate management of anaphylaxis and severe asthma. The Framework includes prevention as well as emergency response. This includes a training strategy.

Procedures related to policy

Requirements for board policies

In developing its anaphylaxis policy, boards must include all of the following:  

 

• a process for identifying anaphylactic students 
• a process for keeping a record about the specific allergies for each anaphylactic student
• a process for establishing an emergency procedure plan for each anaphylactic student  
• a process for inclusion of these records with the Permanent Student Record for each student with anaphylaxis
• annual review of the emergency plans 
• an education plan for anaphylactic students and their parents encouraging them to  use of Medic-Alert identification 
• procedures for storage and administering medications in accordance with the Anaphylactic Framework
• a process for principals to monitor and report anaphylactic incidents to the board in aggregate form.

A board’s anaphylactic policy must include allergy awareness, prevention, and avoidance strategies consistent with the Anaphylactic Framework.

Elements of anaphylaxis training

Training about anaphylaxis must include information relating to all of the following:

• signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis 
• common allergens 
• avoidance strategies 
• emergency protocols 
• how to use the epinephrine auto-injector 
• identification of at-risk students 
• emergency plans 
• method of communication with and strategies to educate and raise awareness of parents, students, employees and volunteers about anaphylaxis.