Allergy Awareness, Anaphylaxis Training, and First Aid
At HDST, all new clients are asked to provide information on any know allergies prior to commencing services at HDST. These allergies are documented in the client’s file and included in the alerts section of their file. It is important that clients have their EpiPen on hand in the case of an emergency.
To minimise risk of exposure to allergens, we have the following protections in place:
- We maintain a nut free environment at our clinic.
- We request that clients do not consume any foods in the waiting room. This is reinforced by signage in the reception area.
- Staff engage in thorough hand washing after consumption of known allergens prior to engaging with clients. ‘
- Sanitising of all surfaces that have had contact with food or allergens prior to engaging with clients.
- Ensure caregivers are present at all individual paediatric feeding sessions
- Discuss with parents before providing any foods/beverages
- Safely and appropriately store and check all food/beverages prior to use
Our staff also complete mandatory anaphylaxis training as part of HDST’s annual first aid training. A first aid kit is made available to the team and is replenished as needed. Part of first aid training, staff are aware of signs of choking and how to perform CPR.
Feeding Therapy and Choking Risks
Feeding assessment and therapy sessions at HDST are only conducted by speech pathologists with further post postgraduate training in feeding therapy. We see clients within our scope of practice (SLP Scope of Practice (Web view)) and any clients that fall outside these guidelines will be referred on.
Staff acknowledge that there are known risks of choking when introducing solids to paediatric clients. To mitigate risk of choking, staff will:
- Provide parent training prior to introducing any foods/beverages (including differentiating between typical gaging on solids and choking).
- Encourage caregivers to complete a paediatric first aid course.
- Encourage parents to bring their own food and feed their child in the session where and when indicated.
In the case that the child chokes during a feeding assessment and/or therapy session, the therapist is trained to respond to the choking incident. In the case of a choking incident, an incident report will be completed as per policy.