EpiPen training provided to parents of children with food allergies

It has been estimated that food allergy affects 6% of children,1 and occasionally it can be fatal. Optimal management of these children includes prescription of epinephrine auto injector devices (EpiPen) for children at risk of serious reactions. It has been shown that most families often use the EpiPen incorrectly, as they were poorly trained.2 There are no national guidelines for best practice. A population survey carried out by our community department in 20023 highlighted significant shortcomings in the way EpiPen training was provided to parents of children with food allergies. These findings prompted a review of the service, which included training of school nurses to provide EpiPen training to parents and school staff, who took over from community child health doctors, who were responsible for it until then. It was thought that each school …