Anaphylaxis Policy

MAGICAL MEMORIES LEARNING CENTRE INC. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE ALLERGEN FREE ENVIRONMENT

 

The objectives of the Policy are:

  1. Provide a safe environment for children/staff with anaphylaxis.

  2. Provide guidelines for staff to respond to anaphylaxis

  3. Promote understanding with in the Centre to anaphylaxis

  4. Promote a Centre based approach to anaphylaxis

     

    What is Anaphylaxis?

    Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can result in death due to airway obstruction or a severe drop in blood pressure. It is an extreme total body reaction.

     

    When Does Anaphylaxis Occur?

    The course of a life-threatening allergy can vary form person to person. Anaphylaxis can potentially occur when a person has experienced only minor allergic reactions previously. Others may show a general progression of increasingly severe allergic reactions that lead up to anaphylactic reaction without any previous signs of allergy.

     

    Anaphylaxis reactions may be triggered by minute amounts of an allergen – measured by micrograms. For example, children have developed anaphylactic reactions after coming into contact with residual peanut butter on tables that were wiped clean of visible material.

     

Common food and non-food Allergens:

  1. Peanut/peanut products and nuts

  2. Fish and shell fish

  3. Milk

  4. Eggs

  5. Soy

  6. Bees, wasps, hornet and yellow jackets

  7. Medications such as antibiotics, muscle relaxants and anti-convulsants

  8. Latex

     

    A person with a life-Threatening allergy must be diagnosed and treatment prescribed by a doctor. It is recommended that an allergy specialist assess the child.

    When a child is enrolled in Magical Memories Learning Centre Inc and is diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy and may require the immediate injection of adrenaline by auto-injector, this procedure must be followed:

  1. When the Centre is made aware of a child enrolled in the program has a life-threatening allergy and carries an adrenaline auto-injector a URIS application will be submitted.

  2. Parent/Guardians of the child with the life threatening allergy will sign an “Authorization for the Release of Information” form to Magical Memories Learning Centre on behalf of URIS, Regional Heath Authority and/or nursing agency prior to the child starting day-care.

  3. Parents/Guardians of the child with life-threatening allergies will complete the “Authorization Form for Administration of Adrenaline Auto- Injector” prior to the child starting day-care.

  4. A Heath Care Plan/Emergency Response Plan will be developed with consultation with the parents/guardians of the child on an annual basis.

  5. When the Adrenaline Auto Injector is used, an ambulance shall be called immediately and the child will be transported to the Brandon Regional Heath Authority

     

     

    Director’s Responsibilities to a child enrolled with a Life Threatening Allergy:

  • The Director shall submit the URIS Application for approval

  • Obtain all forms from the parents/guardians and ensure that they are filed out correctly.

  • Annually submit a URIS application to URIS.

  • Be the liaison between the designated heath care professional and the parents/guardians.

  • Assist with the implantation of policies and procedures for reducing the risk in the Centre.

  • Work as closely as possible with the parents/guardians with the known risk of anaphylaxis.

  • Notify staff, Board of Directors of the child with known risk of anaphylaxis, the allergies and treatment.

  • Post allergy alert forms with a photograph in the staff room( with parents/guardian written approval)

  • Maintain up to date emergency contacts and telephone numbers

  • Ensure all staff has received instruction in the use of the auto-injector.

  • Ensure all substitute staff are informed of the presence of a child with known risk of anaphylaxis, and that appropriate support/response is available should an emergency occur.

  • Inform parents/guardians of the Centre that a child with a life-threatening allergy is in direct contact with their child(ren) and ask for their co-operation ( this is with written approval form parent/guardian)

  • Arrange annually, through the public heath nurse to train staff during a staff meeting, workshop or professional development evening.

  • Monitor all staff in contact with the child with life threatening allergy.

  • If it is not developmentally appropriate for the child to carry an auto-injector, ensure the staff responsible for that child wears a fanny pack, or it is in a safe, unlocked location accessible only to the adults responsible.

  • Ensure safety procedures are developed for field trips and out of Centre activities.

     

    Early Childhood Educators Responsibilities

  • Ensure you receive annual training in caring for a child with anaphylaxis.

  • Discuss anaphylaxis with the other children in age appropriate terms

  • Reinforce to the children not to share lunches or snacks

  • Choose products that are safe for all children in the program

  • Instruct children with the life-threatening allergy to eat only what is provided.

  • Reinforce hand washing practices

  • Facilitate communication with other parents

  • Follow policy for reducing risk in eating and all common areas.

  • Plan appropriately for all field trips. Ensure the auto injector is taken whenever the child is out of the building, This also includes in the playground attached to the Centre.

  • Ensure emergency response plans are considered when planning and implementing out of Centre activities.

     

    Registered Nurses Responsibilities:

  • Consult with and provide information to parents/guardians, children and ECE’s.

  • Provide anaphylaxis training to all staff.

  • IN collaboration with parents/guardians and director develop an Individual Heath Care Plan and Emergency Response Plan for the child with known risk of anaphylaxis.

  • Facilitate staff training and provide monitoring to personnel involved with children with known risk of anaphylaxis.

     

    All Parents Responsibilities:

  • Respond co-operatively to requests form the staff to eliminate allergens from your child’s lunches

  • Encourage children to respect the child with known risk of anaphylaxis and program policies.

  • Inform the staff PRIOR to distribution of food products to any child in the program.

  • Participate in parent information sessions.

     

     

    All Children’s Responsibilities: (developmentally appropriate only)

  • Learn to recognize symptoms of anaphylactic reaction.

  • Do not share food but especially with children with known risk of anaphylaxis

  • Follow rules about keeping allergens out of the Centre

  • Follow the rules on hand washing.