{"id":1220,"date":"2014-04-09T18:30:59","date_gmt":"2014-04-09T22:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/blogger\/?p=1220"},"modified":"2016-03-11T22:58:39","modified_gmt":"2016-03-12T03:58:39","slug":"case-for-full-time-school-nurses-food-allergy-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/blogger\/case-for-full-time-school-nurses-food-allergy-champions\/","title":{"rendered":"Making The Case For Full-time School Nurses: We Need Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Champions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Making The Case For Full-time School Nurses: We Need Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Champions<\/h1>\n

Written by Michael Pistiner MD, MMSc<\/a><\/p>\n

As we move forward with implementing policies to care for students with life-threatening allergies, it has never been more clear – school nurses are indispensable.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stock Epinephrine Saves Lives<\/h1>\n

Food allergies are a growing national concern. \u00a0Unfortunately, food allergy related deaths can and do occur. \u00a0Recognition of anaphylaxis, severe allergic reaction, and its treatment with epinephrine can be life saving. \u00a0First time allergic reactions and first time anaphylaxis do occur in school. \u00a0Our schools must be ready to identify these reactions, and treat appropriately. \u00a0Laws establishing availability of epinephrine as well as \u00a0training to provide this medicine are imperative. \u00a0The momentum of these laws has been inspiring and a result of the wonderful advocacy efforts of so many. As we move forward with implementing policies to care for students with life-threatening allergies, it has never been more clear – school nurses are indispensable.<\/p>\n

Stock Epinephrine AND<\/span> Full-time School Nurses: The Gold Standard in Preparing for Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis<\/h1>\n

In the case of first time anaphylaxis, not only is the availability of epinephrine imperative, but so is<\/strong> a full time school nurse. \u00a0School nurses are trained to make assessments of their students’\/patients’ medical situation. They have spent their schooling and clinical training evaluating children.\u00a0No one is better positioned or trained <\/span>to make the assessment of anaphylaxis and treat appropriately. \u00a0Their role in the school and their medical background also allow them to train others to recognize these reactions in the event that they are unavailable, and efficiently implement school wide policies aimed at \u00a0delivering emergency treatment and preventing these reactions before they start. While it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO HAVE STOCK EPINEPHRINE AND PEOPLE TRAINED TO GIVE IT<\/strong> (especially when a school nurse is unavailable), we need to remember that our goal is to have stock epinephrine AND<\/strong><\/span> full-time school nurses. This should be our gold standard.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Champions: School Nurses<\/h1>\n

\"Food<\/a>Although food allergy and anaphylaxis management is only one of many responsibilities of the school nurse, many would stress that it is one of the most CRITICALLY important issues in a school; \u00a0children\u2019s lives depend on it. \u00a0A school nurse’s training positions them perfectly to be our schools’ food allergy and anaphylaxis champions. \u00a0They are the\u00a0c<\/strong><\/span><\/span>oordinators, a<\/strong><\/span><\/span>dvocates, r<\/strong><\/span><\/span>esponders and\u00a0e<\/strong><\/span><\/span>ducators who are leading and guiding the entire school community in food allergy and anaphylaxis management.<\/span><\/p>\n

School Nurses CARE<\/span>: Roles as Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Champion<\/h1>\n