Allergy

Anaphylaxis

CCMS-MED-SOP-001 §15.5

Church snacks, bee stings, and undiagnosed allergy live here. Hives plus respiratory distress, repeated vomiting, hypotension, or that staccato cough/stridor is anaphylaxis.

1. 1

   911. Supine with legs up if shocky; sit if they cannot breathe lying down.

2. 2

   Epinephrine is the drug. If they have an autoinjector, use it in the mid-anterolateral thigh. Repeat in 5–15 minutes if they are still crashing and EMS is not on scene.

3. 3

   Antihistamines are adjuncts, not treatment of airway closure.

4. 4

   BVM and airway plan if they decompensate.

• If the kit does not include epinephrine, that is the single most important addition the medical director can make.
• Find the parent. Document time of the first epinephrine dose for EMS.

This field guide does not replace 911, a medical director, or licensed clinical judgment. It does not authorize anyone to practice beyond license and current training.