There are several lessons here that we all need to pay attention to: especially teachers and school staff. Thankfully, this story ended well and a life was not loss. KWWL in Iowa reported this story yesterday, “Student has allergic reaction after gives peanut butter sandwich.” Apparently, there was a kitchen mix up and peanut butter was used instead of a sunflower seed butter. The second grade student ate the sandwich, told a custodian that his throat was “clogging and itching” and then was sent out to recess. After recess he shared this information with his teacher who sent him to the nurses office. So….we need to talk about the breakdowns so we can all learn from them!
There were clearly more than two mistakes in this situaion
Lessons: Mistakes by Iowa school that could have cost a food allergic student life.
- Food service error. The staff admitted that the sandwich mix up was a pure human error and mistake. We are all human and I am the queen of weekly mistakes, BUT…I do my best to create procedures and policies that work for me and my family regarding food allergies. The lesson here is to examine how the error was made and what new policies and can be put into place to reduce risk? Possibly schools need to review the Food Allergy Research and Eduction Managing Food Allergies in the Classroom web link for information and training resources. Or visit the Food Safety Guy’s website for information. I had the pleasure of watching Lars Johnson, the Food Safety Guy in action while I was visiting Minnesota as I observed a school cafeteria kitchen walk through as he reviewed safe handling of food being prepared for a wide assortment of allergens–all I have to say is: impressive!
- Alerted staff who didn’t know the proper response. The student immediately notified a custodian of his symptoms, but was sent to recess instead of the nurse’s office. Clearly, this staff member was not trained to recognize symptoms or how to respond. Training of all staff is imperative-end of story.
- Student sent to recess! This was so incredibly dangerous-he should have been escorted to the nursing clinic. How big was the school yard? Could the student have passed out in an unseen area and could running around have effected his symptoms and worsened them.
- Student sent to the nurse-alone? We don’t know the details here but the student was hopefully escorted to the nurses office. How many stories have we heard about students passing out? Students must be escorted.
- Was 911 was called? Was Epinephrine given? We don’t have answers, but the lesson for us is that we need to ensure our schools fully understand that 911 MUST be called and epinephrine is the first line medication to be given.
I urge all of us to read these stories and then pause and review our plans for our children at school. Meet with your board certified allergist to discuss any changes to your child’s plan and be the strong, confident parent that you are as you advocate for your child. Prior to food allergies I was a very relaxed roll with it kind of gal, now I roll with it right up until the point that my child may be in harms way. Then some mysterious voice and strength pops up and I become advocate mama!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Great post! These steps are a great reminder. We sometimes think they are so simple, but it’s not second nature to everyone.
I’ve asked our school to call the nurse to come to my daughter in the event of anaphylaxis (and lie her down on the bench in the hallway with feet elevated), instead of getting her and an escort – most likely another 7 yr old – to walk to the nurse’s office. This is because her reactions are severe and she self carries – it may not work for everyone.
Heather,
Thanks! Good point about laying down. That part makes me nervous–that someone will forget to lay down my kids.
How scary! But so important to share this story and, unfortunately, others like it. This situation could easily have had a very bad ending, with such a cascade of errors.
I think it’s so important to prepare an easy-to-read food allergy action plan — one page and as simple as possible — to give to our children’s teachers, the school nurse, and admin. It should include not only the food(s) the child is allergic to but also possible symptoms of a reaction, the treatments that should be administered and under which circumstances, contract information for the parents, the child’s doctor and rescue, and also a photo of the child. Your doctor can help prepare the action plan and sign it.
Thanks Kathy for joining in the conversation. I use two action plans: the FARE action plan and then I do just as you say, I write up my own that is very visual, short and specific to my child. I fear panicking and forgetting everything!
These are all good points, Caroline. I would add that ALL school staff (in addition to being trained about anaphylaxis) should know the students identified as having a food allergy. In addition, I recommend that at each lunch wave there be a specific staff member charged with the responsibility to monitor and respond to children with medical conditions such as food allergy. (This should be school policy. If not, add it to your child’s 504 plan.) Lastly, I think most school staff member’s first response to suspected anaphylaxis is to send the child to the nurse. In my opinion, this is not what the procedure should be and, in fact, this practice can be dangerous. If a person suspects a child (or adult for matter) is experiencing anaphylaxis, the last thing that should be done is move the person. Ideally, all children with food allergy would have IMMEDIATE access to epinephrine and a designated staff member could swiftly administer it when needed keeping the child reclined until EMS arrives. If this is not an option, the nurse (or designee) should be brought TO THE CHILD (with epi in hand) so that the child is not moved.
One last point, every child with a serious medical condition should be told WHO to go to in an emergency (again, ideally the person responsible for these children at each lunch wave).
Yay! Gina, I was going to ask you tomorrow to please come on over and share your wisdom!!!!!!! Your point about the nurse coming to the child is GREAT. I want to talk to you more about that…
Caroline, thanks for sharing this. I worry all day every day about my sweet girl at school for this very reason. We are fortunate to have Maya’s own teacher watching like a hawk every lunch, and if she isn’t available, another teacher that knows her stands in. I don’t know if this was the case in this school, but it doesn’t sound like this kiddo’s epipens followed him around the school. I think that, along with training of all staff is paramount to ensure everything is within hands reach at a moments notice. Another thing that may be a little controversial, the thought of my girl eating from the school cafeteria actually sickens me. Especially not in second grade. Yes, every student deserves a safe meal, but the issue is just like this story. Folks who don’t live the life day in and day out don’t think about food allergies like we do. I’m glad the student is okay and this didn’t turn into an awful tragedy. Yes, we all need to see these stories and use them to strengthen our plans. Kudos Caroline, you’re awesome 🙂
I”m just so grateful that this story ended well. I thought about this the other day when I was telling someone that I didn’t keep dairy in my house until recently, for fear at 6am I would grab the wrong item. I like to reduce risk..that’s my theme.
WOW – this is super scary. I’m thankful that my kids do not have food allergies, but I have become a hawk about sending my kids with any nuts, as I know there are so many kids with severe nut allergies. We keep the nuts at home, just in case.
..and Laura, we all appreciate your kindness, understanding and support! You are just what we hope everyone else does!
Yikes! Reading that gave me the willies. I can’t imagine sending a kid out to recess if they complained of those symptoms, even if I had no clue about food allergies. Just WOW!
I think all schools should have a mandatory training when it comes to allergies and asthma. They need to be trained to recognize the signs, how to administer emergency meds, and everything else. Honestly, I think they should cover it with the kids, too, just like they do a fire drill. It makes SENSE to do that. Food allergies are becoming more and more prevalent, and I’m reading about far too many situations where people didn’t know what to do.
Until they do mandatory training, though, I think parents have got to INSIST on being advocates for their kids, no matter if they are accused of being “too sensitive” or “ridiculous”. If a school cannot or will not listen, then you need to go elsewhere or home school if possible. You can also go to the school board or whatever you need to do to get your voice heard. I KNOW that FARE would help, too.
Too many people don’t speak up out of embarrassment or shame or any other number of reasons, and I think this is why we are seeing more and more cases of emergency allergy situations. If we can’t speak up out of fear of what others may think, then we’ll never get anywhere. We have to show them that we’re not ridiculous to want our children to be safe in all forms, from bullying to food allergies to whatever, and the only way we can do that is to actively pursue their safety in all forms.
Julie,
I think you hit the nail on the head. We must speak up until this is common everyday knowledge–right up there with putting on a bandage. So many people don’t speak up and endanger their child by accident. One day right?