Newsbite: New ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plans for 2020

ASCIA (the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy) has revised the action plans for 2020.

ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (RED) and ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (GREEN) were updated in January 2020 and are available at www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis

It is stressed that, while the 2020 ASCIA Action Plans are the latest versions, the 2018 and 2017 versions of the ASCIA Action Plans are still valid for use throughout 2020 and 2021, or until the due date for review stated on the (individual’s) plan. However, ASCIA Action Plans prior to the 2017 version, should no longer be used.

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for schools, early childhood education/care and community have also been updated to include the changes that have been made to the ASCIA Action Plans. The updated ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses for health professionals are expected to be finalised by early March 2020.

The changes made from the previous version are:

• The weight range for adrenaline auto-injectors (150 mcg) has changed from 10-20kg to 7.5-20kg, to be consistent with ASCIA Guidelines and consensus expert opinion;
• The section for the doctor or nurse practitioner to complete in the RED and GREEN plans is more detailed and clearer, with dot points about medications and the review date;
• The ORANGE plan (used mostly as a poster) has a new title “ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis”. (Allergy New Zealand notes there are two versions, one is generic - for use with any type of adrenaline auto-injector, and one describes how to use an EpiPen®)  www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis

The ASCIA ’First Aid for Anaphylaxis’ poster has been translated into Māori, Samoan and Tongan https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/first-aid-for-anaphylaxis-languages-nz,
As well as instructions for how to give the EpiPen®: https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/how-to-give-epipen-languages-nz