Announcing a Free Allergies Webinar with eSchoolCare Content Expert Kathleen Shanovich

Kathleen Shanovich 

Free Webinar with eSchoolCare Content Expert Kathleen Shanovich    
                                                 

Just in time for the start of the school year, eSchoolCare content expert Kathleen Shanovich, NP will be giving pointers and taking questions from school nurses on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 10:30am (Central Time). 

Click Here to View the Archived Webinar  

A Preview of the Webinar is Below 

Do children have more allergies today or is it just my imagination?

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

·       The prevalence of food allergy among children under the age of 18 increased 18% percent from 1997 to 2007.

·       Kids with a food allergy are two to four times more likely to have conditions such as asthma and other allergies.

·       Allergic rhinitis affects as many as 40% of children.

·       Atopic dermatitis affects between 10% and 20% of children.

Kathleen Shanovich, a clinician with the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics will discuss the impact of this rise in allergic conditions on school nursing and what researchers are finding out about reasons behind this surge.

What are the best practices in caring for children who have allergic reactions?

School staff members often underestimate how quickly an allergic reaction can escalate into anaphylaxis.  For example, an allergic food reaction:

·       Occurs quickly (seconds/minutes to 1-2 hrs.) following food ingestion

·       Can be life-threatening

·       Occurs reproducibly (each time food protein ingested)

·       Can occur with tiny amounts of food protein exposure (250 mcg)

That means school staff need to be trained to be alert for the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and well prepared to administer epinephrine onsite without delay.  The eSchoolCare resource, particularly its video showing a child going into anaphylaxis, supports school nurses in their efforts to build their own and their staff’s confidence.  Techniques are demonstrated for administering epinephrine with an EpiPen® and the new Auvi-QTM auto-injectors.  As one school nurse said, “Being able to make a quick assessment and provide treatment may have saved a student’s life.”

How can I keep kids with allergies in my school safe?

While we cannot make our environments totally free from allergens, school nurses can implement policies and practices that make classrooms as allergy-safe as possible.  For example, simple steps to reduce food allergic reactions are:

·       Students should not share food.

·       Students and staff should wash their hands with soap and water after eating.

·       If soap and water are not available, hand wipes can be used.  Note:  Hand sanitizers and gels do not remove food proteins and are not an effective way to removed allergens from the hands.  

eSchoolCare provides model policies and guidelines for school nurses on the front lines of leadership in getting allergies under control so kids can just be kids.