New Research: School Food Allergy Plans Not Always Adequate

A new study in the October 2007 Journal of School Nursing examined ninety-four schools' procedures for food allergy reactions on campus, checking to see whether plans were in place and comparing them to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's model plan.

The good news: a majority of the respondents do have action plans in place. The bad news: most are missing key components of the model plan. Some plans were missing such basic information parental or emergency contact numbers and instructions for how and when teachers or nurses should administer emergency medication.

What's the moral here for parents of kids with allergies in school? There are a few takeaway lessons:

• Don't assume that your school's default plan for dealing with severe food allergies is sufficient. Even if administrators or nurses assure you that they've dealt with severe allergies before, ask to look at the plans they have in place for severe food allergies.
• If you're not sure what information to include when working with your school's principal or nurse to come up with a plan, one useful template is the free Food Allergy Action Plan (note: PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat, required) from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (the model plan used for comparison in this study). The action plan is a two-page document that can be customized to list allergens, health history, and dosage information.
• When your child's health information changes --- new test results, change in medication or dosage, or change in emergency contact numbers --- be sure to update the action plan with your child's school as soon as possible.

More information on anaphylaxis, allergies, and schools:

• Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: Schools & Camps (includes a Spanish version of the action plan, as well as useful information for nurses and parents)
• How to Create an Allergy Emergency Kit
• How to Treat a Severe Allergic Reaction
• Food Allergies in Schools: Does Your Child Need a 504 Plan?

_{Source: Powers, Jill, Martha Dewey Begren & Lorna Finnegan. "Comparison of School Food Allergy Emergency Plans to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network's Standard Plan." The Journal of School Nursing Oct. 2007 23(5): 252-58.}