P51: REVIEW OF THE USE OF ARENALINE AUTOINJECTORS (AAI) IN NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN TERMS 1 AND 2 2017

Abstract

Background and aim: All NSW Department of Education (DoE) schools have at least one 'general use' adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) in addition to those prescribed for students known to be at risk- for treatment of anaphylaxis. We aimed to collect and describe all reported incidents of anaphylaxis and AAI use in NSW DoE Schools. Method(s): Episodes of anaphylaxis and AAI use in NSW public schools reported to the DoE were investigated by NSW Anaphylaxis Education Program (NSWAEP) over term 1 and 2, 2017. Result(s): Over the study period there were 48 reports of anaphylaxis, 27 incidents occurred in primary and 21 in high school. In 33 of 48 incidents, food was the likely trigger, peanut or tree nut (n = 20); milk (n = 2); corn (n = 1); unidentified food in food allergic student (n = 10). Insect sting anaphylaxis (n = 3) and tick anaphylaxis (n = 1) were reported. In 11 instances the cause was unknown (n = 11). In response to these episodes, 48 AAI's were used. Personal prescribed AAI were used in 25 cases, one student was given 2 personal AAI. General use AAI were used in 20 cases, including 2 students who required 2 AAI to treat symptoms of anaphylaxis. On 2 occasions adrenaline was given by ambulance staff or in hospital, and on 1 occasion no adrenaline was given despite signs of anaphylaxis in the report. Reasons for using the general use AAI included: no previous allergies known (n = 12); known to be allergic but personal AAI was not at school (n = 5); student's AAI was in school bag not with the student (n = 2) and remote location of the school with personal AAI reserved (n = 1). Conclusion(s): Use of AAI in NSW schools is relatively common. During the study period, General Use AAI were given at almost the same rate as personal AAI, including 12 occasions where the child was not previously known to be at risk of anaphylaxis.