101 Spruce St. N.
Timmins, ON P4N 6M9
Phone: (705) 268-7443
Fax: (705) 267-3590
Toll Free : (877) 422-9322
www.ncdsb.on.ca
NORTHEASTERN CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
ANAPHYLAXIS
Administrative Procedure #: APE015
The Northeastern Catholic District School Board believes that all students and staff are entitled to
safe and healthy learning and working environments. To this end, the NCDSB will be diligent in its
efforts to reduce the risks of anaphylactic shock as much as it is possible to do so. The NCDSB
further supports the notion that students and staff with a life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis)
develop independence with regard to advocating for their personal situation within their school
community.
REFERENCES
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Bill 3: Sabrina’s Law – An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils, 2005
NCDSB Policy E-22: Anaphylaxis
NCDSB Policy E-6: Provisions of Health Support Services in Schools
NCDSB Administrative Procedure APE012: Provisions of Health Support Services in Schools
North East Tri-Board Transportation Policy and Procedures
Mayo Clinic (online resources)
DEFINITIONS
ANAPHYLAXIS
Anaphylaxis means a severe allergic reaction, which can result in systemic shock that is often severe and
sometimes fatal.
EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR
An epinephrine auto-injector is a medical device for injecting a measured dose or doses of epinephrine
(adrenaline), by means of auto-injector technology. For the purposes of this procedure, an epinephrine
auto-injector would be used in response to anaphylaxis.
EPI-PEN
An Epi-Pen® is a frequently used epinephrine injector that contains one dose of epinephrine in one pen
which is administered with an auto-injector.
TWINJECT
A Twinject® is a frequently used epinephrine injector that contains two doses of epinephrine in one pen.
The first dose is administered with an auto-injector. The second is administered by manual injection.
ALLERJECT
Allerject® is an epinephrine auto-injector for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions.
NORTHEASTERN CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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APE015 - ANAPHYLAXIS
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PROCEDURES
A.
SYMPTOMS OF ANAPHYLAXIS REACTIONS
All staff shall be made aware of the possible symptoms of anaphylaxis reactions.
Anaphylaxis symptoms usually occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen.
Sometimes however, anaphylaxis can occur a half-hour or longer after exposure.
Anaphylaxis symptoms include:
 Skin reactions, including hives along with itching, and flushed or pale skin (almost always
present with anaphylaxis)
 A feeling of warmth
 The sensation of a lump in your throat
 Constriction of the airways and a swollen tongue or throat, which can cause wheezing
and trouble breathing
 A weak and/or rapid pulse
 Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
 Dizziness or fainting
B.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIONS
Principals
1. Upon registration, the principal will present this policy to parents or guardians of students
with anaphylaxis and ensure that they become familiar with it. The principal will discuss
with them the severity of the student’s allergies. The principal is required to have parents
complete the requisite forms consistent with these procedures.
2. The principal shall prepare an intervention plan for each anaphylactic student in order to
ensure that the school is a safe environment for the anaphylactic student. The individual
intervention plan shall include:
2.1
details informing employees and others who are in direct contact with the
student on a regular basis of the type of allergy, monitoring and avoidance
strategies and appropriate treatment;
2.2
a readily accessible emergency procedure for the pupil, including
emergency contact information; and
2.3
storage for epinephrine auto-injectors, where necessary.
3. The principal shall maintain a file for each anaphylactic student of current treatment and
other information, including a copy of any prescriptions and instructions from the pupil’s
physician or nurse and a current emergency contact list.
APE015 - ANAPHYLAXIS
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Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
1. At the beginning of each year, parents or guardians of those students identified as
being at risk of anaphylactic reactions shall complete the following forms in a clear and
precise manner:
Emergency Intervention for Allergic Reactions - Student Information Sheet
Life Threatening Situation for High Risk Students - Parental Consent Form
2. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to advise the school in writing of any
changes occurring in the student’s medical condition during the school year.
3. It is imperative that every anaphylactic student provide his or her own properly
identified and dated EpiPen Auto-Injector to the school to be stored in an appropriate
location in the school. It is advisable that anaphylactic students should carry a second
EpiPen on their persons at all times. When it is necessary to proceed with a self-injection, a
staff member will be available to provide assistance.
4. Each anaphylactic student should wear a MEDIC-ALERT bracelet.
C.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND EXPECTED ACTIONS
1. School principals, with the assistance of parents or guardians, shall make all members of
the school staff aware of the information supplied by the parents upon registration.
2. In accordance to the individual case, the teacher will explain the situation to the other
students in class and ask for their cooperation.
3. Correspondence will be sent home from the school advising parents of the nature of
anaphylaxis and request cooperation to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis.
4. The form Emergency Intervention for Allergic Reactions - Student Information Sheet
and the information sheet any detailed information sheets on how to use the epinephrine
auto-injector are to be posted in easily accessible areas of the school (such as but not
limited to: the administration office, staff lounge, classrooms) and, with the consent of
parents or guardians, shared with all persons having to interact with the student.
5. Copies of the documentation shall be brought along on field trips.
6. The school principal shall work with the parents or guardians of an anaphylactic student
and the public health nurse in informing the school staff, including the custodian, the
supply teachers, the persons providing supervision at lunch and in the school yard, the
parents or guardians of classmates, the members of the Catholic school council,
volunteers, other students, and other individuals who are in direct contact with the student
on a regular basis about the following:
6.1 any food allergies and their severity;
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6.2 how to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction;
6.3 how to administer the appropriate medications in emergencies.
D.
STRATEGY CONSIDERATIONS
Greater School Community
When an anaphylactic child is in attendance in the school, the school shall
1. discourage the exchange or sharing of food, utensils or food containers;
2. suggest that anaphylactic children eat only those foods prepared at home;
3. ensure that, according to each case, no identified allergens be used in family studies, arts,
special events;
4. limit exposure to any identified allergens in school lunches, special events, or other related
activities.
5. not allow students with an anaphylaxis to participate in the removal of garbage.
Classroom Setting
When an anaphylactic child is in attendance in a classroom, the teacher shall ensure:
1. that the students wash their hands before and after eating;
2. that the desks and other surfaces used for eating are cleaned before and after the
meal;
3. that those students have access to an area where the risk of contact with allergens is at a
minimum for snacks and meals.
Allergies to Insect Stings
When an anaphylactic child, allergic to insect stings, is in attendance, the principal shall:
1. take precautions to ensure that insect nests and/or hives in the vicinity of the school
are removed periodically;
2. ensure that garbage and garbage cans are stored in closed containers.
Extracurricular Activities/Educational Excursions
For extracurricular activities and/or educational excursions, the supervisor shall:
1. ensure that the pertinent information included in the support document accompany the
student during the activity in question;
2. ensure that all monitors, staff members, parents, etc... are aware, of the identity of the
anaphylactic student as well as the forbidden food items or other anaphylactic triggers, of
the symptoms and the emergency steps to take;
3. ensure that the person responsible for the anaphylactic student is informed about the
procedure to follow in using the EpiPen Auto-Injector;
APE015 - ANAPHYLAXIS
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4. if possible, have access to a cellular phone;
5. suggest that the parent or guardian supply several EpiPen Auto-Injectors;
6. not allow the student from partaking in the activity if the risks are too great. This
decision is to be made in consultation with the parents or guardians.
E.
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
The principal shall work in collaboration with the Manager of Transportation Services (North East
Tri-Board Transportation Consortium) and parents/guardians of a student with anaphylaxis to
ensure that bus drivers have the required information relating to the student’s condition. The
school principal will follow the policies and procedures specific to the Tri-Board Transportation
Consortium.
Director of Education:
Glenn Sheculski
Date:
August 2015