A Medical Alert Condition is a medically diagnosed, potentially life-threatening health condition where a child may require emergency medical care while at school. Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical emergency measures or else it can be fatal. Reactions usually occur within minutes of exposure to an offending substance or sometimes even within a few hours. Specific symptoms vary from person-to-person and sometimes from attack-to-attack in the same person. - Identify children with medical conditions or severe life-threatening allergies and develop emergency care plans for those children.
- Ensure that care plans for students with medical conditions are updated yearly.
- Promote allergy safe classrooms, activities and playgrounds.
- Ensure teachers and staff with supervisory responsibilities:
- Can recognize signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Can develop avoidance strategies
- Know what to do in case of an emergency
- Know what to do in case of a reaction
- Know how to use an epinephrine auto-injector
- Notify the school yearly about their child’s medical condition or severe allergy and any changes in his or her condition.
- Work with the school to complete an emergency care plan for their child.
- Provide the child or school with at least one epinephrine auto-injector. It is recommended that parents provide two auto-injectors in case their child requires a second dose and to take on field trips.
- Be aware of risks for anaphylactic reactions and take responsibility for avoiding these risks.
- Know the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and let an adult know when the are experiencing these symptoms.
- To have an epinephrine auto-injector either on their person or know where it is within the school building.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace at all times.
- Consult with schools and provide training for anaphylaxis management, treatment and auto-injector use.
- Provide schools with resources for anaphylaxis education.
- Consult with parent and/or student as needed