Storing Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in Schools

Ensuring that adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are stored correctly is a vital part of managing severe allergic reactions in schools. During an episode of anaphylaxis, every minute matters, so medication must be stored where it can be accessed quickly and safely.

Every Child Should Have Their Own Prescribed Auto-Injector

Every child who has been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector should have their own device available while at school. This includes during:

• The normal school day.
• Educational visits and school trips.
• Sports activities.
• Breakfast, lunchtime and after-school clubs.
• Any other extracurricular activities.

Staff should know where each pupil's prescribed medication is stored and who is responsible for ensuring it is available whenever the child is in the school's care.

Do Not Rely Solely on Pupils Bringing Their Own Medication

Schools should not depend entirely on pupils bringing their own adrenaline auto-injectors. Although prescribed devices should always accompany the child where appropriate, there are occasions when they may not be available.

For example, a prescribed auto-injector may:

• Have been forgotten.
• Be stored in another location.
• Have expired.
• Be damaged or unusable.
• Be insufficient if a second dose is required before the ambulance arrives.

Because anaphylaxis is unpredictable, schools should always be prepared for these situations.

Why Schools Need Spare Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

Current statutory guidance highlights that around 20% of anaphylactic reactions in schools occur in children who have no previously diagnosed food allergy. This means a life-threatening allergic reaction may occur without any prior warning.

For this reason, schools are expected to maintain a supply of spare adrenaline auto-injectors for emergency use.

Recommended Stock Levels for Schools

State-Funded Nursery Schools

Nursery schools should keep:

• Two spare 150 microgram adrenaline auto-injectors.

Primary Schools

Primary schools should keep:

• Two spare 150 microgram devices.
• Two spare 300 microgram devices.

This ensures suitable doses are available for children of different ages and body weights.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools should normally keep:

• Between two and four spare 300 microgram devices.

Special Schools and Additional Needs Schools

Schools supporting children with additional needs should hold suitable quantities of both:

• 150 microgram devices.
• 300 microgram devices.

Storage Across Large or Multi-Site Schools

Larger schools should consider storing spare adrenaline auto-injectors in more than one location. The aim is to ensure that an auto-injector can be retrieved and administered within five minutes of an emergency occurring.

Where a school operates from more than one building or site, suitable spare devices should be available at each location.

Best Practice for Storing Adrenaline Auto-Injectors

Spare adrenaline auto-injectors should be stored in locations that are:

• Clearly labelled.
• Secure.
• Quick and easy to access during an emergency.

All relevant staff should know:

• Where both prescribed and spare auto-injectors are stored.
• How to access them without delay.
• Who is responsible for checking expiry dates.
• Who is responsible for replacing expired or used devices.

Include Auto-Injector Locations in School Policies

The location of both prescribed and spare adrenaline auto-injectors should be clearly documented within the school's:

• Allergy policy.
• Anaphylaxis emergency procedures.
• Staff induction and ongoing training.

Regular training and refresher sessions help ensure all staff know exactly where emergency medication is kept and how to respond quickly if a severe allergic reaction occurs.

Key Takeaway

Knowing where adrenaline auto-injectors are stored and ensuring they are readily available can save valuable time during an anaphylactic emergency. Fast access to both prescribed and spare devices allows prompt treatment and may ultimately save a child's life.