Anaphylaxis

Quality statement

People who are prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis are given training in how and when to use it before being discharged.

Rationale

Adrenaline auto-injectors should be offered to people after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis, as an interim measure before they have a specialist allergy service appointment. It is important to use an adrenaline auto-injector as soon as possible if an anaphylactic reaction is suspected. Ensuring that people know when and how to use their specific device, and encouraging them to get familiar with it by practising with a trainer auto-injector, will help ensure timely and correct use if they have a further anaphylactic reaction.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers (such as emergency departments, and paediatric and adult medical services) ensure that healthcare professionals can provide brand-specific training in how and when to use adrenaline auto-injectors for people who are prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis. They also ensure that information on using auto-injectors and how to position the body after using them is available to give to people. Information should include how to get a trainer auto-injector from the manufacturer to practise with.

Healthcare professionals (such as emergency department staff, and members of paediatric and adult medical services) provide brand-specific training for people prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis, before they are discharged. They demonstrate correct use and provide an opportunity for the person to practise using a training device. They also give people information about how and when to use it, including how to position their body after using it. They encourage the person to practise at home by getting a trainer auto-injector from the manufacturer.

Commissioners (such as integrated care systems and clinical commissioning groups) ensure that they commission services that can provide brand-specific training and information on how and when to use adrenaline auto-injectors for people who have been prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis.

People who are prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector because they have had emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) are shown how to use their specific brand of adrenaline auto-injector before they go home from hospital. This includes practising using a training injector, and being given information that explains how and when they should use it, and how to position their body afterwards. They are also encouraged to get a trainer auto-injector from the manufacturer so that they can practise at home.

Source guidance

Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment. NICE guideline CG134 (2011, updated 2020), recommendation 1.1.11

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Equality and diversity considerations

Information provided about using adrenaline auto-injectors should be accessible to people with additional needs, such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities, and to people who do not read or speak English. People receiving information about adrenaline auto-injectors should have access to an interpreter or advocate if needed.