ANAPHYLAXIS AND EPIPEN ADMINISTRATION
EpiPen Administration This program has been designed for the school staff member who will administer an EpiPen in the event that a student has a life-threatening allergic reaction with NO KNOWN HISTORY.
Objectives Accurately recognize student-specific warning signs of an allergic emergency with no known history Accurately identify student for whom epinephrine is prescribed and those with unknown/undocumented allergies.
Objectives continued: Accurately read the epinephrine (EpiPen) label and follow directions from the label Safely handle and administer epinephrine by auto injector Accurately describe the school s plan for responding to life-threatening allergic emergencies Access resources appropriately, including emergency medical services, school nurse, and parents
Anaphylaxis A very serious sudden, intense, rapidly progressing whole body allergic reaction that affects multiple organ systems and can be fatal
Anaphylaxis It can occur in a person who has a hypersensitivity to foods, insect stings, medications or other allergens (identified or unidentified).
Suspect Anaphylaxis If Student Presents With or Complains Of: Throat Lung Heart Skin Gastro intestinal Mental Swelling of mouth, throat or tongue Shortness of breath Weak or absent pulse Hoarseness Coughing Dizzy/lighth eaded Difficulty swallowing wheezing Loss of consciousness Swelling of face, arms or legs Itching Abdominal pain or cramps Nausea and/or vomiting Agitation Feeling impending doom Hives Diarrhea uneasiness
Suspect Anaphylaxis continued The severity of symptoms can change quickly. It is important that treatment is given immediately. NEVER send a student anywhere alone when symptoms are present!!
What To Do If You See The Signs or Symptoms Give the Epinephrine immediately! It is given through an autoinjector called EPIPEN
Handling epinephrine Before using, make sure solution is clear and colorless It is stable at room temperature until the marked expiration date Do not freeze, refrigerate, or expose to extreme heat or sunlight
Epinephrine It quickly constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure It relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to improve breathing
Epinephrine continued It stimulates the heart beat It works to reverse the hives and swelling around the face and lips
The 5 Rights of Epinephrine administration Right student Right medication Right dose Right Route Right time
Right Student Identify the student with unknown/undocumented allergic reaction by symptoms.
Right medication
Right dose An EpiPen comes in TWO different doses: EpiPen 0.3 mg (8 years of age or older) EpiPen Jr. 0.15 mg (Less than 8 years of age)
Right route The EpiPen is administered into the large outer thigh muscles
Route time Based on student s symptoms: hives spreading over the body, wheezing, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling in face or neck, tingling or swelling of tongue, vomiting, signs of shock, such as extreme paleness/gray color, clammy skin, loss of consciousness
Steps in EpiPen administration Have student lie down Send someone to call 911 Look at the directions on the EpiPen It states: 1. Form fist around auto injector (black/orange tip down) Do not touch orange tip. 2. With your other hand, pull off gray/blue cap. 3. Hold black/orange tip near outer thigh 4. Swing and jab firmly into outer thigh so autoinjector is perpendicular (at 90 degree angle) to thigh. 5. Hold firmly in thigh for several seconds
What to do after EpiPen use After using epinephrine, the auto-injector should be placed in an impermeable container and given to EMS personnel to take to the ED.
After EpiPen use continued.. 1. Notify parents/legal guardians 2. Document incident including suspected allergen 3. Document time of epinephrine administration and dose 4. Document event on Record of EpiPen Administration form
Remember The EpiPen is designed to be administered through clothing
Video demonstration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjilfype3uw
Questions Email questions to janet.rhoan@pgcps.org