Allergy Concerns

[T-ROD, LPN]

Can you tell me how your school goes about kids with severe allergies. I am talking the ones that if they touch oil left behind by a PB sandwich they can have a reaction.

Our school has never really had this to deal with.

We only have 2 in total district with this type of reaction. One is a senior and the other just started.

Next year I am adding 2 kindergartners that are this level and have had limited exposures.

I already use tags to help staff recognize. Next year we are thinking the lunch assigned tables and such. Any ideas that really work for you all.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

So...these things are documented in a doctor's orders? Or this is a request from a parent?

I wish I could help more. Nutrition Services started selling PJB sandwiches at lunch "for the vegans." At least we convinced them to pre-make these and wrap and label so there's no immediate cross-contamination and no confusion.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I think most parents of kindergartners will be understanding if there is a blanket no peanuts/nuts rule for lunches or snacks. It really is the best way to prevent a reaction and not isolate a child.

We have all students with severe reactions carry an Epi-Pen starting at 2nd grade. Many parents choose a fanny pack or pencil case with a carabiner to hook onto belt loops for younger kids and the older kids carry in a backpack. Before 2nd grade their teacher has it in the classroom. Each Epi-Pen is clearly labeled with the student's name. All teachers and staff members are trained on Epi-Pen usage and signs of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis during staff training meetings at the start of the school year.

At the beginning of the school year I post a "Students With Life Threatening Allergies" packet in the staff breakrooms. These include a photo of the student, grade level and teacher, explanation of allergy, and brief allergy action plan. I don't know if these are read, but we can hope! I also make sure each teacher is aware of any students they teach who have allergies--especially the art, PE, music teachers who have MANY students.

[AdobeRN]

We have "allergen free tables" available - a student with food allergy may choose to sit there or a parent may require their child to sit there - either way we have parents sign a consent form for it. Teachers do not monitor what is purchased by the student nor do they monitor student lunches. The "allergy free tables" become an issue every year - we have parents that insist classroom be "nut free" but do not want their kid to be seperated at lunch and made to sit at the "allergen free table".

We do have a few "allergy Aware" Classrooms - where we request no nuts, peanut butter etc be brought in. The teacher will send a letter home at the beginning of the year to let parents know.

Our district cafes our pretty much "nut free" but items sold may have been processed with nuts around. The cafe has a form for parents to have doctors sign regarding allergies - the student is then flagged in the cafe system so whatever the kid is allergic to is not sold to them.

We no longer allow outside food for birthday celebrations - that has cut down alot of problems. We have 3 classroom parties a year that the PTA will plan - food issues really haven't been a problem since- I give PTA a list per grade level of all the food allergies/intolerances parents have reported to me and the PTA does a pretty good job of planning food items around that. I also try to be proactive and will send the food allergy/intolerance parents a list of what will be served and flat out tell them if you don't want your child handling/consuming the item to let myself or the teacher know and that parents are always welcome to provide their own food for their child.

[T-ROD, LPN]

So...these things are documented in a doctor's orders? Or this is a request from a parent?

I wish I could help more. Nutrition Services started selling PJB sandwiches at lunch "for the vegans." At least we convinced them to pre-make these and wrap and label so there's no immediate cross-contamination and no confusion.

I will have 5 documented Epi kids next year. 3 severe nut and 2 venom.

All have or will have POA.

[T-ROD, LPN]

I have started a power point that I will go over at the district start up meeting. I also have training's set up for teachers on Epi pen usage. I am surprised though about the young age you allow them to carry. I love the idea just a little surprised. I do get though that they need to self aware. My son is one of the venom epis and he just knows what to avoid.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

we have nut free tables and classrooms that have severe allergies can choose to make their classrooms peanut / treenut free. We do serve pbj in the cafeteria and students are allowed to bring it.

ETA: Students with allergies are not required to sit at the "safe table" unless the allergy action plan specifies, but are encouraged. They are allowed to bring a friend as long as their friend has a safe lunch.

[OldDude]

Just a few thoughts...we are NOT a peanut free campus; especially since that's a feel good myth and there really isn't such a thing. We'd rather put energy into know where the peanut products are, or where peanut products can be, and we can manage that environment versus trusting that no one would even think of bringing a peanut butter cup to school.

You mentioned using tags; if this is something the kids wear to let others know they have an allergy , you can't do that.

Each classroom is assigned to a table for lunch. One end of the table can be designated as a "peanut free zone" and no one who brings their lunch from home can sit on that end of the table (we don't examine lunches brought from home) or, obviously, no one eating peanut butter from the cafeteria can sit on that end (PB&J sandwiches are served each Monday). Otherwise kids eating cafeteria food can sit at the peanut free zone. Cafeteria staff clean the table after each classroom use.

We don't allow home made or home prepared food in the classrooms; must be commercially prepared with the ingredients label attached.

If kids change classrooms, the teachers are responsible for wiping the desks assigned to those who have contact allergies prior to the student using the desk.

Teachers are responsible for having their kids wash hands after lunch.

Just a few things we do here...best of luck.

[T-ROD, LPN]

You mentioned using tags; if this is something the kids wear to let others know they have an allergy , you can't do that.

This was in place prior to me. It is done only at lunch time so the kitchen staff know which children have the allergies. My goal was to color code so that staff knows which child is most likely to have a severe reaction.

Why is that a no,no??

[GetBackToClassRN]

We have a designated "allergy table" where students are not allowed to have anything with the top food allergens.

However, we leave it up to parent discretion if they expect their child with allergies to sit there. Most parents choose to allow the student to sit with their own class and just take extra care about who they sit next to and what they touch.

[kidzcare]

This was in place prior to me. It is done only at lunch time so the kitchen staff know which children have the allergies. My goal was to color code so that staff knows which child is most likely to have a severe reaction.

Why is that a no,no??

It's considered a violation of privacy to alert everyone about a student's allergy. Only those who work directly with the student should know (teacher, aides, cafeteria workers) not other students, parent volunteers, etc

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

You mentioned using tags; if this is something the kids wear to let others know they have an allergy , you can't do that.

This was in place prior to me. It is done only at lunch time so the kitchen staff know which children have the allergies. My goal was to color code so that staff knows which child is most likely to have a severe reaction.

Why is that a no,no??

I think you're talking about flags for the cafeteria staff to make sure Sweet Pea doesn't purchase anything peanut or allergen-laden accidentally, which is OK.