title: The evaluation of a food allergy and epinephrine autoinjector training program for personnel who care for children in schools and community settings.
abstract: With the dramatic increase in the incidence of food allergies, nurses and other school personnel are likely to encounter a child with food allergies. The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of in-person training on enhancing knowledge about food allergies and improving self-confidence in preventing, recognizing, and treating food allergy reactions and to collect information about prior training and participation in response to food allergy incidents. A total of 4,818 individuals at 247 schools and community sites participated in the training program, which was delivered by a licensed registered nurse. Written evaluations, online surveys, and phone interviews were used to measure the impact including content retention, confidence, and behavior changes. The results of this study show that in-person training can increase participant's knowledge about food allergies and improve self-confidence in preventing, recognizing, and treating allergic reactions and that these gains were sustained over time.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.affiliation: Seattle Public Schools, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruffo
authors.affiliation: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA amanda.jones@seattlechildrens.org.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D064691:Nurses, Community Health / Q000193:education; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012573:School Nursing / Q000193:education
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: EpiPen®; anaphylaxis; emergency action plan; epinephrine pen; food allergies; food allergy action plan; individual health plan; school nurse; school-aged children; training program