Immunotherapy Safety for the Primary Care ... - U.S. Coast Guard

Welcome to
“Immunotherapy Safety for the Primary Care Provider” or “Optimizing the Safety of
Immunotherapy Administration Outside of the Allergist’s Office”
I am deeply indebted to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s
Immunotherapy & Allergy Diagnostics Committee and to the Immunization and Allergy
Specialty Course of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for much of the material
contained within this training CD.
The purpose of this CD is to provide a comprehensive overview of allergen
immunotherapy for primary care physicians and their ancillary staff with a primary focus
on risk factors that affect immunotherapy safety and measures that may enhance
immunotherapy safety.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand immunotherapy indications, potential risks, contraindications,
protocols, potential mechanisms and risk factors for systemic reactions after
allergen and vaccination injections.
2. Be familiar with the current recommended guidelines in terms of proper personnel
and emergency equipment required for administration of allergen immunotherapy
and adult and pediatric vaccines.
3. Recognize the signs and symptoms of adverse immunotherapy reactions and the
appropriate treatment for them.
4. Apply the greater understanding of potential risks associated with immunotherapy
and immunizations into a clinical practice with office protocols designed to screen
high risk individuals prior to receiving injections and to make appropriate clinical
decisions based on this screen.
5. Apply the competencies and learning assessments contained herein to assure
the safe administration of immunotherapy and vaccines.
CD format: The didactic program begins with the lecture slide show. Handouts include
a lecture summary and a position statement addressing administration of allergen
immunotherapy by non-physician staff, as well as suggested formats for a clinic SOP,
nurse/technician competency assessment, patient informed consent, AIT administration
form, and a dosage adjustment guide. Upon completion of this program, participants
are encouraged to take the included self-assessment test.
I hope that you find the material helpful and the format convenient.
Capt. Jay Montgomery MC, USN
Head, Division of Allergy & Immunology
National Naval Medical Center
Production Team: Ms. Sally Bentsi-Enchill, HM3 Harrison Wright USN, Ms. Anna
Harrison, Ms. Denise Chambers, and HN Joy Lewis USN