Epi-pen use and Anaphylaxic Shock – Protocol

Don’t let it take by you surprise!!!

Recently, a 2-year-old child died in a daycare in Montreal as result of this severe allergic reaction.  This is a preventable tragedy.

Daycare teachers and parents alike are exposing children with potentially highly allergic foods without awareness and the education to understand the repercussions.

Also, coincidentally, new training sessions have been offered to certified CPR and first-aid instructors.  The class is 1.5 hours long and is intended for parents, caregivers, daycare teachers and babysitters and junior paramedics (see course description on site).

• Currently no protocol or extensive training exists allowing instructors to give the short training.
• The best tool to increase pre-hospital survival rates (and last till the ambulance arrives) is the Epi-Pen.

Things everyone should know about epi-pen usage…

• As soon as the child has difficulties breathing, use the epi-pen
• Inject the pen, after removing the grey or blue (newer pens) safety cap, into the thigh, hold for in placer for a full 10 seconds.  Remove and break of the needle and dispose.  Rub the injected area to distribute the medicine.  Ice the area.
• ***Important-The medicine will last for only 15 minutes.  A second backup up dose should be close at hand should the ambulance arrive in more than 15 minutes.  Typically an epi-pen dose lasts for only 15 minutes.
• Expiry dates should be checked.  An expired epi-pen is less effective (less time of medicinal effect).  It can still be used if no other dose is available or as a backup dose with no other alternative.
• Adult epi-pen doses are different than childrens’ and cannot be used interchangeably.  However, a wrong dose either way is better than none at all.