ASCIA Action Plans and First Aid Plans for Anaphylaxis

Current ASCIA Action Plans are the 2021 versions, however, the 2020 and 2018 versions are still valid for use throughout 2021. ASCIA Action Plans do not expire, and therefore the plan is still valid beyond the recommended 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 are medical documents that are completed and signed by the treating doctor or nurse practitioner. A signature is sufficient, ASCIA Action Plans do NOT need to be stamped. To insert a digital photograph and signature, first save as a PDF after typing patient details into the text fields. Alternatively a physical photograph can be glued to the plan and the doctor can use a wet or digital signature.

ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2021 EpiPen®  This plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed EpiPen® adrenaline autoinjectors.  ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis EpiPen Red 2021

ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2021 Anapen® This plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed Anapen® adrenaline autoinjectors, expected to be available in Australia from September 2021.  ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis Anapen Red 2021

ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (RED) 2021 Generic  This plan is provided to people with allergies who have been prescribed any brand of adrenaline injectors.  ASCIA Action Plan Anaphylaxis Generic Red 2021

ASCIA Action Plan for Drug (Medication) Allergy (GREEN) 2021 This plan is provided to people with drug (medication) allergies who have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector.  ASCIA Action Plan Drug Allergy 2021

ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions (GREEN) 2021 This plan is provided to people with allergies who have not been prescribed an adrenaline injector.  ASCIA Action Plan Allergic Reactions Green 2021

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) 2021 EpiPen®    This plan can be used as a poster or stored with general use EpiPen® adrenaline autoinjectors. ASCIA First Aid Anaphylaxis EpiPen Orange 2021

ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE) 2021 Anapen®    This plan can be used as a poster or stored with general use Anapen® adrenaline autoinjectors, expected to be available in Australia from September 2021. ASCIA First Aid Anaphylaxis Anapen Orange 2021

ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (ORANGE) 2021 Generic This plan can be used as a poster or stored with any brand of general use adrenaline injectors.  ASCIA First Aid Anaphylaxis Generic Orange 2021

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 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. 
2. 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.
3. 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). 
4. 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).
5. It is generally recommended that people who have an adrenaline autoinjector should also wear a medical identification/emergency response emblem, or other medical identification.
6. ASCIA Action Plans should be used as part of a comprehensive anaphylaxis management plan that includes:

Content updated June 2021