ALLERGIES
APRIL 12, 2024
Students are assessed for possible allergies to foods, chemicals or other materials at the time of admission based on their annual physical assessment, medical history, specialist assessments/examinations, and allergy panels. When students have specific known allergens, nursing works with the kitchen staff to ensure no cross contamination occurs. We do not accept students with severe peanut allergies due to the risk it presents, unless they are admitted to our Highpoint campus, which is completely nut free. After admission, the medical staff continues to monitor for additional allergens that may not have been noted on admission, by doing frequent nursing assessments, annual physicals, and continuous monitoring. Known allergies are noted on the face sheet of each student’s individual master file, emergency medical file. A complete list of student allergies is circulated among staff at each campus.
As part of the employee orientation process, the nursing department informs new staff of allergies of the students in their care and the location of all allergy information. In addition, allergy lists are readily available in the students’ classrooms, dorms, nurses station, supervisors office, and staff lounges. Student information is confidential, so this information is located within staff information binders, and is not posted publicly in any location. Our allergy lists are updated as soon as any changes occur with any of the students in our care, and are reviewed on a weekly basis. This is communicated to staff in their shift stand up meetings before working with the students, as well replacing the allergy lists in all locations with the new information.
SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES
Purpose: To ensure that all departments are fully informed of student allergy and the necessary emergency treatment
Procedure: Prior to admission the Head Nurse will review all medical information for the presence of allergies. If this information is forthcoming during the interview/admission process then the information will be disclosed to the campus Head Nurse. During the campus nursing assessment, history of any allergies or sensitivities to food or drugs is reviewed with the student as well as any accompanying adult. This information is recorded on the nursing assessment, on the label of the chart, the medication administration record, physician’s orders and in the campus allergy list.The allergy list is then distributed to the kitchen, supervisor’s office and campus Emergency Manual. Allergy lists produced for use in program kitchens shall provide the first name and last initial only of the student. In the event that students’ first names and last initials are identical, the next letter of the last name shall be included to differentiate the students (ex. John D., John DO). The list should include any needed emergency treatment such as an epipen. Any specific treatment needed for severe allergens such as peanuts will be addressed on an individual basis with the Head Nurse, Director of Nursing, Director of Support Services, Nutritionist and staff.