title: The RCPCH care pathway for children with venom allergies: an evidence and consensus based national approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Science & Research Department was commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national care pathways for children with allergies; the venom allergy pathway is the seventh pathway. The pathways focus on defining the competences to improve the equity of care received by children with allergic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The RCPCH venom allergy pathway was developed by a multidisciplinary working group and was based on a comprehensive review of evidence. The pathway was reviewed by a broad group of stakeholders including the public and approved by the Allergy Care Pathways Project Board and the RCPCH Clinical Standards Committee.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pathway results are presented in four parts: evidence review, mapping, external review and core knowledge documents. The entry points are defined and the ideal pathway of care is described from self-care through to follow-up. The evidence highlighted that venom immunotherapy is safe and effective for bee and wasp allergy and that there are real quality of life benefits for patients. The review also highlighted the value of measuring serum tryptase after reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The venom allergy pathway provides a guide for training and development of services to facilitate improvements in delivery as close to the patient's home as possible. The authors recommend that this pathway should be implemented locally by a multidisciplinary team with a focus on creating networks between primary, secondary and tertiary care to improve services for children with allergic conditions.
authors: Department of Child Health, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. nicola.brathwaite@nhs.net
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Brathwaite
authors: George
authors: G
authors: du Toit
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Lloydhope
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Sinnott
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Forster
authors: Moira
authors: M
authors: Austin
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Clark
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Tuthill
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Lucas
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Warner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019058:Community Networks; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012955:Societies, Medical; D006113:United Kingdom; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D014862:Wasp Venoms