Well, last Friday, I had the moment I've had dreams about since starting school nursing - a student with an anaphylactic reaction at school. Staff did everything perfectly, and student is well now. Student complained throat "didn't feel good" at the end of lunch and then staff member noted bottom lip swelling. Student was immediately brought to me and needed his epipen. Really proud of my staff for recognizing the severity of the reaction, especially as the student was not yet in any obvious distress.
Going forward, however, we're hoping to prevent any further reactions. This student (who is young), has known food allergies, and one of the foods he is allergic to was served in our school salad bar. The salad bar is open to all students, and students self serve (even the younger ones). Although we avoid peanut/tree nut products, we have a number of students with random, atypical allergies, and so we cannot guarantee these foods are not sometimes served in the salad bar. In looking to prevent reactions though, we want to see what we can change/improve on. Do any schools have salad bars and young students? Do you have any policies or advice on preventing reactions? If so, please feel free to PM as I would love to discuss. This is our 4th year of having the salad bar and the first time we've had an issue. Hoping to make it the only time. Thanks!
