ASCIA Action Plans and First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis
Current ASCIA Action Plans are the 2020 versions, however, the 2018 versions are still valid for use throughout 2020 and 2021. ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the review date, which is a guide for patients to see their doctor. For more information about ASCIA Action Plans go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/action-plans-for-allergic-reactions-faq
ASCIA Action Plans were first developed in 2003 to standardise the recognition of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and provide easy to follow steps for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. They continue to be used as the standard action plans throughout Australia and New Zealand. The content is regularly reviewed by experts and updated as required.
ASCIA Action plans are medical documents that can be completed online and saved as PDFs, by the treating doctor or nurse practitioner. After typing patient details into the text fields, "save as" and save with a new name (e.g. patient name).
 ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2020 EpiPen®This plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed EpiPen® adrenaline autoinjectors. |
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ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2020 GenericThis plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed any brand of adrenaline autoinjectors. |
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ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (GREEN) 2020This plan is provided to people with allergies who have not been prescribed adrenaline autoinjector/s. |
An ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for use with adrenaline autoinjectors on airlines is available upon request. This plan is should be stored with adrenaline autoinjectors in emergency medical kits on airlines.
ASCIA First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE)
Note: These have replaced the general versions of ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE).
 ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE) 2020 EpiPen®This plan can be used as a poster or stored with general use EpiPen® adrenaline autoinjectors. |
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ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE) 2020 GenericThis plan can be used as a poster or stored with general use adrenaline autoinjectors. |
For translated versions of ASCIA First Aid for Anaphylaxis go to www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis#ta5
For further information about ASCIA Action Plans and other anaphylaxis resources go to www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis
Important information:
1. ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the review date, which is a guide for patients to see their doctor. Ideally, ASCIA Action Plans should be reviewed when patients are reassessed by their doctor or nurse practitioner, and each time they obtain a new adrenaline autoinjector prescription, which is approximately every 12 to 18 months. If there are no changes in diagnosis or management the medical information on the ASCIA Action Plan may not need to be updated. However, if the patient is a child, the photo should be updated each time, so they can be easily identified.
2. ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis can be used for people with food, insect, tick and drug allergies, or any other allergy that can result in a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
3. Adrenaline autoinjectors contain a single, fixed dose of adrenaline and are designed to be used by anyone (medical training is not required), including friends, teacher, childcare worker, parents or patients (if they are not too unwell or too young).
4. It is generally recommended that people who have an adrenaline autoinjector should also wear a medical identification/emergency response emblem, or other medical identification.
5. ASCIA Action Plans should be used as part of a comprehensive anaphylaxis management plan that includes:
- Age appropriate education of people with allergies and their peers or colleagues.
- Training in the recognition and management of allergic reactions.
- Development of strategies to reduce the risk of accidental exposure.
- An ASCIA Action Plan to be used as an emergency response plan for when exposure to allergens occurs.
Content updated December 2020
