We spoke to Rachel Bulloch, our Principal Pharmacist at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust about the importance of managing allergies in hospital. Rachel works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve the care provided for patients with allergies.
Managing allergies in a hospital setting is vital for patient safety. Whether you’re a patient or accompanying someone with allergies, here are some essential steps that help our staff keep patients safe.
Share allergy information
Inform our staff about allergies, including triggers and reactions, to help us ensure accurate record-keeping and avoidance of potential reactions. Bring your allergy care plan with you, if you have one, as it provides essential details for managing allergies and aids staff in our response. Although occasional allergy checks may be necessary, it’s not a concern.
Bring your allergy medications
If you carry allergy medications, such as antihistamines or an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen®) for severe reactions like anaphylaxis, please bring them with you to the hospital. Having your medication to hand can help manage any unexpected reactions and serve as a useful backup in an emergency.
Ensure you are wearing the red allergy wrist band
All patients with a known allergy will be given a red allergy wrist band on admission to hospital. If you have allergies you know about, please make sure that a nurse puts a red allergy band on your wrist. Please wear the red allergy band all the time you are in hospital.
If you haven’t been given a red allergy band or have lost it, please speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist immediately and ask for a replacement.
Inform all staff involved in your care
Make sure that everyone involved in your care are aware of your allergies. This helps ensure that all relevant information is correctly documented and accessible to all staff, supporting a coordinated approach to your care. Clear communication allows the team to tailor care to your specific needs, ensuring your safety.
Keep a personal record of your allergies
It is helpful to keep a record of your allergies in an accessible format, such as in your phone’s Medical ID or on a note in your wallet/purse. This simple step is particularly beneficial in emergencies, ensuring that essential information is readily available even if you cannot communicate fully.
For carers and family members
If you are accompanying someone with allergies, notify staff as soon as possible. Share details of their allergies and bring any relevant allergy care plans.
By following this guidance and being proactive, you can play a crucial role in helping to keep your loved one’s hospital stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
Food allergies
Allergies are not just in medicine and our Trust is keen to ensure you are safe from food allergies whilst in our hospitals. If you have a food allergy, please ask to speak to the ward’s housekeeper, who are able to cater to food allergies.
