Anaphylaxis In Hospital Research Articles

Triggers, clinical features and management of anaphylaxis in children

This article describes the clinical features of anaphylaxis in children and young people. The acute management of anaphylaxis in hospital and community is described and various prevention strategies are discussed.

Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in hospital

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening, generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction characterized by rapidly developing airway, and/or breathing, and/or circulation compromise, usually associated with skin and mucosal changes. Summoning expert help, positioning the patient appropriately, administering high-flow oxygen, and administering adrenaline by intramuscular injection are the key initial treatment and management options. This article draws on the literature, including published guidelines, to discuss the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in hospital.

Recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis

The aim of this paper is to discuss the recognition, treatment and investigation of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. It is characterized by rapidly developing life-threatening airway and/or breathing and/or circulation problems usually associated with skin and/or mucosal changes. The incidence of anaphylaxis appears to be increasing. A wide range of triggers can cause anaphylaxis. Drugs are the commonest cause of anaphylaxis in hospital and foods in the out-of-hospital setting. Patients having anaphylaxis should be treated using the airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure (ABCDE) approach. Early treatment with intramuscular adrenaline is the treatment of choice for patients having anaphylaxis. Intravenous adrenaline must only be used when the patient is monitored and only by those skilled and experienced in its use. A raised serum mast cell tryptase suggests a diagnosis of anaphylaxis. All those who are suspected of having anaphylaxis should be referred to a specialist in allergy. Individuals at high risk of anaphylaxis where the trigger is difficult to avoid should carry an adrenaline auto-injector and receive training and support in its use.

Severe allergic reaction: management of anaphylaxis in hospital

Anaphylaxis is an acute, severe, hypersensitivity reaction that can lead to asphyxia, cardiovascular collapse and cardiac arrest. This reaction is sudden, severe, and involves the whole body. Common causes include foods such as nuts, shellfish, dairy products and eggs. Non-food causes include bee/wasp stings, latex and drugs, e.g. penicillin. Common clinical features include urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress and shock. Summoning expert help, reclining the patient flat, administering high concentration oxygen, and administering intramuscular adrenaline are key aspects of the nursing management of anaphylaxis in hospital. The aim of this article is to understand the management of anaphylaxis in hospital, with particular reference to national consensus guidelines.