Date of Award

Spring 4-11-2005

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Donna DeGracia

Second Advisor

Dawn B. Ludwig

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Foods, medications, insect venom and latex are the four most common anaphylactic agents. Of these, foods account for most anaphylactic reactions in children. Delayed treatment with epinephrine is the critical factor between anaphylaxis and death. Research has shown that recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis in schools and other child care settings is inadequate. This study was designed to determine if day care providers received severe allergy and anaphylaxis training and if they were confident in recognizing and treating anaphylaxis' METHODS: Sixty licensed home day care providers and 60 employees of licensed day care centers in Dakota-County, Minnesota were mailed a 12 question survey- A total confidence score and associated rating were determined' RESULTS: Twenty-eight home day care providers (46.7%) and 23 day care center employees (38.3%) completed the survey. Six home day care providers (21.4%) and 13 day care center employees (56.5%) received severe allergy and anaphylaxis training. The mean total confidence scores for home day care providers and day care center employees were 8-5 and 8.3 respectively, which equates to a confidence rating of "less confident". The total level of confidence was higher for home day care providers (p : 0.003) and day care center employees (p : 0.000) that received severe allergy and anaphylaxis training' CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the need for greater anaphylaxis awareness among day care providers which can be achieved by incorporating severe allergy and anaphylaxis training into first aid curriculums and through mandatory in-services.

Identifier

SC 11.PAS.2005.Glood.MT

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