Anaphylaxis

Course Summary

Anaphylaxis has been described as a systemic hypersensitivity reaction to antigens such as food or environmental exposures with rapid onset of life-threatening airway and circulatory symptoms. Medication and/or emergency interventions will need to be administered by the interdisciplinary health team when anaphylaxis is diagnosed in a healthcare setting. In rare cases, anaphylaxis can lead to death, making it imperative that health teams be prepared to intervene quickly when signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis occur. Also health team members have a key role in the education of at risk individuals and their families, and of the general public to increase community awareness of the variable risk factors, recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis, and of ways to prevent its occurrence. In the case of exposure to products considered potentially allergenic in a healthcare center, such as latex and radiographic contrast products, having an evidence-based policy for the health team to follow and a screening tool in place to identify at risk individuals could make the difference between a life-saving intervention and a catastrophic outcome. Research and a case study of anaphylaxis will be discussed.