An ASCIA Action Plan is a tool to help you know if an allergic reaction is mild to moderate or severe, and it tells you how to manage the reaction. These plans have been written and developed by ASCIA, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.
A copy of the ASCIA Action Plan should be available to any person with, or caring for someone with, an allergy that may cause anaphylaxis (the most severe allergic reaction).
Allergic reactions are not always the same and the Action Plan can help when you, or when the person you are caring for, is having an allergic reaction by giving you clear information on what you need to do.
ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, but they should be reviewed and updated when patients are reassessed by their doctor or nurse practitioner. This should occur each time they get a new adrenaline injector prescription, which is approximately every 12 to 18 months. If the patient is a child, the photo should be updated each time, so they can be easily identified.
There are different types of ASCIA action plans:
ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis
The ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is for people who have been prescribed an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector.
The ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis should be stored with a person’s adrenaline injector.
ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions
The ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions is for people with food allergy who have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector because their allergic reaction, so far, has not been severe.
The ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions should be stored with other allergy medication, as the person has not been prescribed an adrenaline injector.
Click here to download ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions.
ASCIA Action Plan for Drug Allergy
The ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy is for people with a medication allergy.
Adrenaline injectors are generally not prescribed for people with a drug allergy as medication is easier to avoid when compared with food or insect stings/bites.
Click here to download ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy.
The above plans should be completed and signed by your doctor or nurse practitioner.
ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis
The ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis is designed to be used if a person, not known to have allergies, is having an allergic reaction. It can also be used for someone who is at risk of anaphylaxis who does not have their ASCIA Action Plan with them.
The ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis is different to the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis because it is not specific to a particular person. There are no personal details listed on the ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis, however the information on how and when to treat an allergic reaction is the same as the information on the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.
The ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis is the plan that is placed with adrenaline injectors in general first aid kits in schools, workplaces, restaurants.
Click here to download ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis.
You may also see ASCIA Action Plans in other places, for example, on the wall at childcare, in school canteens or first aid rooms.
Remember, the ASCIA Action Plan is to be used for any age and it is not just a piece of paper to hand into a school or childcare. It is designed to be used by the person with the allergy (depending on their abilities), their family, friends, carers, educators, work colleagues and even strangers helping in an emergency.
Download ASCIA Action Plans and First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis from the ASCIA website.
Preparing for an emergency
Learn more about preparing for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and what to expect if you or a loved one experiences anaphylaxis.