Course Outline for Understanding Anaphylaxis for Healthcare Professionals (Advanced)

The course consists of:

• A PowerPoint presentation with associated narration divided into 5 modules.
• A pdf of the Anaphylaxis Management Form.
• A pdf of an additional recording form to be used in association with the Anaphylaxis Management form.
• An assessment after each of the first 4 modules.

The 5 modules are: 

1. Foundations

   a. The current guidelines for anaphylaxis.

   b. What is anaphylaxis?

   c. How is anaphylaxis triggered?

   d. How is anaphylaxis mediated?

   e. Summation anaphylaxis.

   f. Factors that are important to consider in anaphylaxis.

2. Pathophysiology  

   b. The four pathological processes resulting from the release of these mediators of inflammation.

   c. How these four pathological processes translate into the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

   d. How this relates back to the original definition of anaphylaxis from ASCIA.

3. Diagnosing Anaphylaxis

   a. How to apply the information from the previous modules to clinical practice.

   b. Discussion of the diagnose of anaphylaxis.

   c. Differentiation of anaphylaxis from a simple allergic reaction.

   d. Discussion of other differential diagnoses for the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

4. Management of Anaphylaxis

   a. Managing ourselves in an emergency.

   b. The 7 steps in management of anaphylaxis as per the Australian Prescriber Chart; an endorsed document from Australian based peak bodies.

   c. Equipment required for management of anaphylaxis.

   d. Special case management:

   i. Management of children with anaphylaxis.
   ii. Management of a pregnant patient with anaphylaxis.
   iii. Specific Requirements for management of a cardiac arrest caused by anaphylaxis.

5. Case Studies:

   a.Exploration of various case studies each of which demonstrate various aspects of the management of:

   i. Anaphylaxis
   ii. Simple allergy
   iii. A differential diagnoses of anaphylaxis

   b. For each of the 17 cases I follow the following format:

   i. Demographics
   

   1) Discussion of the non-identified patient’s age and sex as well and what they have presented with and the test undertaken.

   ii. Initial signs and Symptoms
   iii. A table containing the patient’s observations, symptoms and treatment as it progresses
   iv. Review of the pathophysiology
   v. Discussion of the salient medical points of the case and discussion