Anaphylaxis Checklists
ASCIA has developed checklists to assist in the management of patients with severe allergies who are at risk of anaphylaxis.
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Anaphylaxis Checklist for General Practice
The aim of this checklist to assist General Practitioners (GPs) to optimise management of patients with allergies who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or are at risk of anaphylaxis.
- Record history of the allergic reaction and suspected triggers using the ASCIA event record form. www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/anaphylaxis-event-record
- Prescribe initial adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector for newly diagnosed patients and contact a specialist (allergy, respiratory, paediatrician), if necessary, for authority prescription, pending specialist appointment. www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/adrenaline-autoinjector-prescription
- Inform patient/carer about patient support organisations, especially for newly diagnosed patients. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia www.allergyfacts.org.au or Allergy New Zealand www.allergy.org.nz
- Refer patient to clinical immunology/allergy specialist and provide relevant clinical history. Specialists are listed on the ASCIA website. www.allergy.org.au/patients/locate-a-specialist
- For newly diagnosed patients or patients with adrenaline autoinjector/s that are due to expire or have been used, prescribe device/s and check that the dose is appropriate for the patient’s weight: 150 microgram devices for children weighing 7.5 to 20kg and 300 microgram devices for children weighing over 20kg and adults, including pregnant women. Two devices for children or adults are rebated by the PBS in Australia. No devices are currently rebated by Pharmac in New Zealand.
- Complete and sign ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED).The latest version is on the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis
- Complete ASCIA Travel Plan if required www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-travel-plan-anaphylaxis
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Inform patient that they should always carry their adrenaline autoinjector/s and ASCIA Action Plan.
- Ensure the patient/carer understands that that adrenaline is the first line treatment for anaphylaxis and that antihistamines should not be used for the treatment for anaphylaxis. If antihistamines are used to treat mild to moderate allergic reactions, only non-sedating antihistamines should be used.
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Educate patient/carer on how to give the adrenaline autoinjector (using trainer devices), recognition and treatment of allergic reactions, carrying and storage of the adrenaline autoinjector and appropriate allergen avoidance measures. For information go to www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis
- If patient has asthma, review and optimise asthma management and educate about asthma and anaphylaxis. www.allergy.org.au/patients/asthma-and-allergy/asthma-and-anaphylaxis
- Inform patient/carer to check and note the expiry date of their autoinjector/s and inform the customer of expiry reminder clubs (e.g. EpiClub).
- Encourage a GP appointment every 12 to 18 months, to prescribe new adrenaline autoinjector/s before they expire, to review if new allergies have developed or more severe allergic reactions have occurred, and to renew the patient’s ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
For adrenaline autoinjector supply updates check www.allergy.org.au/members/adrenaline-autoinjector-availability
© ASCIA 2020
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
Content updated March 2020
