Understanding Anaphylaxis: Critical Training for Healthcare Professionals
What is Anaphylaxis and Why is It Critical?
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that can progress rapidly, making it essential for healthcare professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of both the diagnosis and management of this condition.
Like all medical emergencies, best clinical practice involves having:
- A clear understanding of the condition
- A detailed management protocol
- Regular training to ensure the effective implementation of the protocol
Anaphylaxis is complex in its presentation, diagnosis, and management. Therefore, healthcare professionals often require detailed training to navigate the complexities of this emergency effectively.
Why Training in Anaphylaxis is Essential for Healthcare Professionals
Anaphylaxis training must be tailored to the specific circumstances each healthcare professional may encounter, particularly whether they are responsible for both diagnosing and managing the situation or are supporting in the management of a patient with established anaphylaxis.
Certain healthcare professionals, such as emergency department specialists, ICU specialists, and anaesthetists, require advanced training due to their higher involvement in managing critical cases.
When training it is important for the healthcare professional to determine if they are responsible for both diagnosing and managing anaphylaxis, or whether they will be supporting in the management.
Guidelines from Leading Medical Bodies
The Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is the peak body for the management of anaphylaxis in Australasia, providing essential guidelines for healthcare professionals.
Other key organizations that offer anaphylaxis management protocols include:
- The Australian Resuscitation Council/ New Zealand Resuscitation Council
- The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
- The Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
- The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
- Additionally, the Australian Prescriber has compiled a wallchart identifying the 7 steps in anaphylaxis management, which has been endorsed by several peak bodies, including:
Training Frequency for Healthcare Professionals
There is no universally recommended frequency for training in anaphylaxis management. Recommendations typically vary from every 12 months to 3 years, depending on the healthcare professional’s specific role and responsibilities. In some cases, regulatory bodies may mandate training frequency.
Another important consideration when determining training frequency is the confidence of the healthcare professional in managing anaphylaxis. An individual professional may opt to train more frequently in certain circumstances, especially if they feel additional practice would enhance their preparedness.
Factors to consider when determining training frequency include:
- The professional's role
- Their confidence in handling anaphylaxis
- Specific mandates from regulatory bodies
Gain confidence in managing complex anaphylaxis cases with our clinically-based training
For healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in anaphylaxis management, our ACRRM CPD Accredited Anaphylaxis courses are designed to meet your needs. Whether you are required to manage anaphylaxis or are in a supporting role, we offer tailored training that aligns with your professional responsibilities - Enrol Today
What do people say about our training?
"Really excellent training. Clear and comprehensive discussion of patho-physiologic pathways leading to anaphylaxis ensures thorough understanding of what signs and symptoms, although possibly deceptively mild, require urgent response. This is reinforced by an excellent tick-box chart that takes the stress out of management decisions, in turn speeding up treatment and improving patient outcomes. The course and the accompanying charts (to be kept with resus trolley) completely take the stress from management decisions and indicate a clear action pathway in what is otherwise a highly stressful situation. The stress of whether and when to act, particularly in a private radiology setting, is removed.
Following the explanations behind the clear management principles allows for understanding of various patient presentations and appropriate adaptions of treatment as required"Radiologist, NSW
"Highly recommend. It is comprehensive well presented in a relatable format to suit all levels. The patient scenarios allow positive reflection of course contents in an engaging narrative. Great work Dr Flanagan. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and can recommend to anyone wanting to build their knowledge and confidence"
Paramedic, NSW
