title: Pitfalls in the use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis: patient and provider opportunities for improvement.
abstract: Epinephrine remains the mainstay of treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions. A number of challenges are encountered with epinephrine, resulting in underutilization and misutilization of epinephrine. The purpose of this study was to identify the scope of epinephrine pitfalls and opportunities for improvement in the management of allergy emergencies.
  
  
  
  A PubMed search from 1990 to 2015 was performed to identify all cases and reports pertaining to the use and misuse of epinephrine for anaphylaxis. Studies were assessed for obstacles or complications related to proper administration of epinephrine for treatment of allergic reactions, and were divided into problems originating with patients compared to healthcare providers.
  
  
  
  There were 1840 publications related to epinephrine use, of which 61 reports met inclusion criteria for pitfalls in the use of epinephrine. The most common problems reported related to lack of autoinjector availability (22), inadequate education of patients or providers (9), uncertainty about when or how to administer epinephrine (9), concern for systemic effects (13), failure to administer (8), and accidental administration (2). Responsibility for errors was divided among patients (18), providers (39), or both (4).
  
  
  
  Epinephrine is a potent medication with lifesaving indications and is the standard of care for treatment of anaphylaxis. The delivery of epinephrine in both trained and untrained populations carries certain pitfalls and complications that can have serious consequences. Identification of the scope of the problem is an important step in improving education for both providers and patients who are tasked with use of epinephrine for allergy emergencies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.|Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Veterans' Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Stefanie S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Samih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nassif
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA.|School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Platt
mesh_terms: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients
chemical_list: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: allergy immunotherapy; allergy injections; anaphylaxis
  ; epinephrine; health care economics; pediatric allergy