MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Epilepsy, Diabetes, CPR

ALLERGY/ANAPHYLAXIS

• Allergies occur when the immune system becomes sensitive and overreacts to common substances that are normally harmless.

• Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life threatening allergic reaction– Can occur within seconds– Affects various organ systems including the skin,

respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS• Skin hives/flushing of face and

chest• Swelling of face/tongue/lips• Tightness of throat/chest/difficulty

breathing/ cough/hoarse voice• Pale/blue colour skin/weak

pulse/loss of consciousness/feeling weak or dizzy

• Nausea/vomiting/abdominal cramps/diarrhoea

• Anxiety/irritability

The EPIPEN (Epinephrine/adrenaline auto-injector)

• Child/adult doses• Pre-measured single dose• No contraindications when used in

a life threatening emergency• If unsure, but the individual seems

in distress – use the EPIPEN• All staff are required to be able to

give an EPIPEN when needed

EPIPEN PROCEDURE

• Have someone call 999• Check EPIPEN solution is clear• Remove grey safety cap• Hold EPIPEN with black tip

against the outer area of the thigh muscle

• Apply moderate pressure to hear a click and hold in place for 10 seconds (press the red button for Anapen)

EPIPEN PROCEDURE CONT.

• Remove EPIPEN and massage area for 10 seconds

• Be prepared to begin CPR• Stay with the individual until

help arrives• Store the used EPIPEN safely

and send with individual to hospital

• Effect will wear off 10-20 minutes

ASTHMA

Asthma is a condition that effects the airways of the lungs.

The muscles around the walls of the airways tighten. The lining becomes inflamed and sometimes there is the production of sticky sputum.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS• Coughing• Wheezing• Shortness of breath • Tightness in chest• Unable to speak in full

sentences• Unusually quiet• Skin pale or blue• Confused/irritable• RR>30/min• HR>120bpm• Use of accessory muscles

THE SEVERITY OF ASTHMA

Sam Linton had an asthma attack and died at school. Inquest ruled that staff negligence contributed to his death.

Asthma UK stats (2009)• 1,131 deaths on UK• 12 under 12 years• 1 in 11 children have asthma• Most common long term medical

condition• On average 2 per classroom• Every 17 minutes one child is

admitted to hospital

ACTION – MILD/MODERATE• Mild attack give 2 puffs

every 3-4 hours. Monitor for 10-15 mins before returning to activity

• Moderate give 2 puffs and reassess after 20 mins. If no improvement give 2 more puffs, arrange transfer to hospital

ACTION-SEVERE ASTHMA

• Administer 2-4 puffs of reliever inhaler immediately

• Contact ambulance and parents and arrange transfer to hospital

• Stay with child • If no improvement continue

to administer 2-4 further puffs of inhaler every 20 minutes (max 10 puffs/hour)

EPILEPSY• Epilepsy is the tendency to have

recurrent seizures.• A seizure is caused by a sudden

burst of electrical energy in all or some of the brain.

• Causes in children may be febrile, brain damage from injury or disease

• Grand mal• Petit mal (absence seizures)• Status epilepticus (potentially life

threatening)

FIRST AID FOR CONVULSIONS• Protect the child from injury (remove

harmful objects)• Do not try and restrain the child• Never attempt to put anything into the

child's mouth or in between the teeth• Time the length of the seizure. If more

than 5 minutes call 999• When the seizure has finished stay

with the child and reassure• Place in the recovery position. Check

the mouth to ensure that nothing is blocking the airway

DIABETES

Type 1• Usually genetic, develops as

a child• Pancreas looses the ability

to produce insulin• Insulin dependent –

individual has to inject insulin regularly to stay alive

Type 2• Frequently occurs in later

life• Pancreas cannot produce

enough insulin to cope with the body’s blood sugar levels

• May be prevented or controlled by a healthy lifestyle

BALANCING DIABETES

DIABETESHyperglycaemia is when the blood sugar is too high

• Too much food• Too little insulin• Decreased activity• Illness• Infection• Stress

Hypoglycaemia when the blood sugar dips too low

• Too much insulin• Missed food• Delayed food• Too much or too intense

exercise• Unscheduled exercise

HYPERGLYCEAMIA

SYMPTOMS• Thirst• Frequent urination• Fatigue/sleepiness• Blurred vision• Flushing of skin• Sweet fruity breath• Nausea/vomiting

ACTIONS NEEDED• Allow free use of

bathroom• Encourage to drink water• Contact trained personnel

to monitor blood, urine and to administer insulin

• If symptoms severe arrange transfer to hospital

HYPOGLYCEAMIASYPMTOMS• Hunger• Shakiness/weakness• Pale• Anxiety/irritability• Sweating• Headache• Behaviour change• Confusion• Blurred vision• Slurred speech• Drowsy/loss of consciousness• seizure

ACTIONS NEEDED• Provide quick sugar source

snack or drink• Re-check blood sugar• Follow with a snack of

carbohydrate and protein• If severe do not attempt to

give anything by mouth• If decreased/loss of

consciousness position on side

• Contact 999/parents• Administer glucagon

CPR

• Ensure victim, bystanders and yourself are safe

• Check for response• Check ABC• Call 999• 5 rescue breaths• Compressions/ventilation

30:2• Recovery position

LETS ALL STRIVE FOR A HEALTHY SCHOOOL YEAR