At our meeting on March 16, 2015, Mrs. Kelly Dunfield, NP and a local resident, discussed the implementation of a new project, the Severe Allergic Reaction Project.
A native of Sussex, Kelly is working on a Community Response to Severe Allergic Reaction Pilot Project, being proposed for the treatment of anaphylaxis for Sussex and area.
Working in conjunction with Dr. Andrea Canty on this Pilot Project, anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction and is a growing public concern. Anaphylaxis has the potential to cause death, fatalities that are avoidable with proper and timely medical treatment.
Measures must be in place to reduce the risk of exposure to an allergen and to have community access to take appropriate action...
There is an infinite number of triggers for anaphylaxis. Mostly food, medication and venom. o Treatment for anaphylaxis – epinephrine administration is the medication of choice. One dose of epinephrine should be available every 10 – 20 minutes of travel time to a medical facility following a severe allergic reaction.
Regarding the Pilot Project, Kelly provided an overview:
- Based on reliable comparisons to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) currently throughout the community.
- Based on epinephrine auto-injectors not being carried by individuals, being expired, or never obtained in the first place due to costs.
- The Pilot Project is considering the new epinephrine auto-injector – AllerjectTM
- AllerjectTM talks a person through the steps of the procedure to auto inject.
- The Pilot Project plans the installation of 26 alarming cabinets with each containing one adult dose and one child dose of epinephrine
- Targeting schools, recreational facilities and restaurants
- Future sites could include churches, libraries, daycares, parks and industrial leaders in our region.
The benefits providing ease of access within various community settings has the potential to save lives. The single risk is the cost due to the expiry dates on the auto-injectors. The goal is to expand the Pilot across the Province and potentially across the country.
Rotarian Shelley Vail thanked Kelly for her interesting classification talk. Shelley presented Kelly with a token of the Club’s appreciation for her talk.