New ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis now available

Updated versions of the ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions and ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis have been released by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), the peak medical society for allergy and clinical immunology in Australia and New Zealand.

The 2013 versions of the following ASCIA Action Plans are now available free of charge at: www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/anaphylaxis-resources/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis:

• ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis personal (EpiPen or Anapen versions) – provided to patients with food, insect or medication allergy who have been prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector.
• ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis general (EpiPen or Anapen versions) – used as posters or stored with adrenaline autoinjectors in first aid kits.
• ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions – provided to patients with allergies who have not been prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector.

These ASCIA Action Plans provide guidance on how to treat mild or moderate allergic reactions and severe allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis, in an emergency. They indicate when and how to give the adrenaline autoinjector (EpiPen or Anapen). Therefore, it is essential that an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is always kept with the adrenaline autoinjector, wherever it is located, including home, school, childcare, workplace or even if it is carried by the individual.

The 2013 versions of the ASCIA Action Plans include the following important changes:

• Inclusion of the wording “Mild or moderate allergic reactions may or may not precede anaphylaxis” and removal of the arrow.
• Updated information about adrenaline autoinjectors, including revised names and a link to the instructional videos on the ASCIA website.
• Information on when to commence CPR after giving adrenaline.
• What to do in you are unsure if it is asthma or anaphylaxis.
• The ability for doctors to complete the Action Plan online and save it as a pdf.
• Space to include a larger patient photograph on the personal (red or green) versions.A note that states “This is a medical document that can only be completed and signed by the patient’s treating medical doctor and cannot be altered without their permission.

(Source: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA))