Prevention and management of allergic reactions to food in child care centers and schools: Practice guidelines.

Food allergy management in child care centers and schools is a controversial topic, for which evidence-based guidance is needed. Following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, we conducted systematic literature reviews of the anticipated health effects of selected interventions for managing food allergy in child care centers and schools; we compiled data about the costs, feasibility, acceptability, and effects on health equity of the selected interventions; and we developed the following conditional recommendations: we suggest that child care centers and schools implement allergy training and action plans; we suggest that they use epinephrine (adrenaline) to treat suspected anaphylaxis; we suggest that they stock unassigned epinephrine autoinjectors, instead of requiring students to supply their own personal autoinjectors to be stored on site for designated at-school use; and we suggest that they do not implement site-wide food prohibitions (eg, "nut-free" schools) or allergen-restricted zones (eg, "milk-free" tables), except in the special circumstances identified in this document. The recommendations are labeled "conditional" due to the low quality of available evidence.

Atopic Dermatitis: Management in the School Setting.

Atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, has a physical, psychological, and social impact on students at school. The purpose of this article is to provide current information surrounding the symptoms and treatment of this disorder. School nurses can be a partner in atopic dermatitis care and improve health outcomes for these students.

Steps to Stock: Keeping Students Safe With Fully Implemented Stock Epinephrine.

Laws have been passed across the United States to either allow or mandate the use of stock epinephrine in the school setting. The challenge remains for our schools to fully implement the use of this life-saving medication. Barriers to implementation exist, but quality tools are available to support the school nurse.

Current trends in food allergy-induced anaphylaxis management at school.

Objective: To review the evidence and current policies regarding the use of epinephrine at schools and child care centers DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTIONS: A narrative review was performed based on the result of conference proceedings of a group of interprofessional stakeholders who attended the USAnaphylaxis Summit 2017 presented by Allergy & Asthma Network.

Results: Anaphylaxis is a well-recognized medical emergency that requires prompt treatment with intramuscular epinephrine. Anaphylaxis can be associated with poor quality of life.

Caring for the Student With Asthma at School: What's Out There to Help the School Nurse?

Asthma is a high impact health issue in the school setting. One in 10 children comes to school with asthma, and it is the leading cause for absenteeism causing 13.8 million missed school days each year.

Latex Safe at School: A Student-Centered Approach.

Providing a safe environment for students at risk for anaphylaxis from a latex allergy requires care coordination and collaboration of all members of the school community. Strategies for allergy management include educating the school community, identifying potential exposure to latex, preparing to respond in an emergency, and creating a plan for the future. With the student at the center of sound planning, the school can provide a secure and healthy environment.

To Give Epinephrine or Not to Give Epinephrine-That Is (No Longer) The Question!

It is vital that school nurses be able to assess students who are at risk for anaphylaxis and that nurses train school staff to identify the symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction. When a reaction occurs, school nurses and staff must be prepared to administer epinephrine immediately.

Asthma and Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Can You Tell the Difference?

School nurses care for students with asthma on a daily basis, but what happens when the asthma medication is administered and symptoms persist? As a part of care coordination, the school nurse provides ongoing assessment and care for students with asthma. When symptoms persist despite treatment, school nurses need to consider other issues such as Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD). The purpose of this article is to highlight the similarities and differences in the pathophysiology and treatment of both asthma and VCD.

Enhancing Asthma Medication Delivery: Spacers and Valved Holding Chambers.

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases managed by school nurses, and its management often includes the administration of bronchodilators delivered via a metered dose inhaler (MDI). The use of an MDI requires coordination and mastery of steps that must be performed correctly and in the proper order. These steps are greatly enhanced, especially in the pediatric population, through the use of medical devices-spacers and valved holding chambers.

School Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management for the Pediatrician--Extending the Medical Home with Critical Collaborations.

Community pediatricians, working in consultation with allergists, create a medical home that is the central focus of care for the child with life-threatening food allergies. They participate in coordinating mutual and critical collaborations within schools that support families and children. They can provide leadership and guidance to both families and schools to safeguard children and adolescents, thereby extending the medical home goals into the school setting.

Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in the school setting: the essential role of the school nurse.

Since anaphylaxis is unpredictable, rapid in onset, and potentially life threatening, it is critical for school staff to recognize and respond to its symptoms quickly. The symptoms of anaphylaxis can be challenging to differentiate, particularly in school-age children who may have trouble explaining what they are experiencing. School staff must understand the distinctive ways in which children describe and manifest anaphylactic symptoms, and the school nurse has a key leadership role in providing this training.

Nasn 2011--our annual checkup: a look at the organization's vital statistics.

NASN continually monitors information of importance to the health of the organization and is dedicated to sharing this information with its stakeholders. Our Weekly Digest provides real-time updates in a concise manner to address the needs of the busy school nurse. This article, "Our Annual Checkup," will provide more depth and include information regarding membership and finances, as well as information pertaining to each area of NASN's strategic plan: Programs, Research, Public Relations, and Advocacy.

Treating and managing head lice: the school nurse perspective.

School nurses often are the first healthcare professionals to diagnose lice infestations in children. Although lice do not transmit disease, many schools send children home if they detect live head lice. It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses that children who have been treated for lice infestations should not be excluded from school because of the presence of residual nits.