ANZCA Bulletin June 2012 - final.pdf - Australian and New Zealand ...

Quality and safetyAustralian andNew ZealandAnaestheticAllergy GroupAnaesthetists know that anaphylaxisduring anaesthesia is a potentiallylife-threatening crisis. The event isoften traumatic both for patient andanaesthetist.It is also clear that anaesthesia isincreasingly delivered in a wide varietyof settings.Busy anaesthetists need readilyavailable information regardingmanagement and referral centres forthese patients to ensure subsequentanaesthesia is safe.Furthermore, anaesthetists involvedin subsequent care need clear guidelinesabout which anaesthetic agents can safelybe used.The Australian and New ZealandAnaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG)was established in response to thesechallenges. ANZAAG members arespecialists with an interest in themanagement and diagnosis of allergy toanaesthetic agents.Members have been recruited throughthe network of specialists regularlyworking in this area. ANZAAG comprises68 members, including 50 anaesthetists,15 immunologists, one technical specialistand one perioperative physician, to date.The group represents 28 testing centresthroughout Australia, New Zealand andHong Kong.ANZAAG arose from a conceptdeveloped by New Zealand anaesthetistsinvolved in the management andinvestigation of patients who experiencedanaphylaxis during anaesthesia.The New Zealand group first met inthe early 1990s and rapidly demonstratedthe benefits of a network of specialistsincluding anaesthetists, immunologistsand technical/laboratory specialistsinvolved in this area of care. It wasapparent that a similar Australasiangroup could deliver benefits throughoutthe region.ANZAAG has since developed astructure to reflect the inter-collegiatenature of the members of the group. Theexecutive members of ANZAAG will forma sub-committee of ANZCA’s Qualityand Safety Committee to ensure a closeworking relationship between the twobodies.The current executive of ANZAAGincludes the chair, Dr Michael Rose(specialist anaesthetist, Sydney),ANZAAG co-ordinator Dr Helen Crilly(specialist anaesthetist, Gold Coast),immunologist representative Dr KatherineNichols (consultant immunologist andpathologist, Melbourne) and anaesthetistrepresentative Dr Peter Cooke (specialistanaesthetist, Auckland).The group first met in May 2010 andhas met twice a year since. ANZAAGmeetings focus on education anddeveloping resources to aid colleagues inthe event of allergic reactions associatedwith anaesthesia.ANZAAG is finalising a number of draftdocuments that will be available froma website that will launch at the ANZCAannual scientific meeting in Melbournenext year.The aims for ANZAAG are:1. To work towards best practice andsafety in relation to the treatment,investigation and prevention ofanaesthesia related anaphylaxis,working with other agencies nationallyand internationally.2. To foster information exchange,standardisation of practice andgood working relationships betweenanaesthetists, immunologists, allergistsand technologists involved in the followup and investigation of patients whoexperience perioperative anaphylaxisin Australasia.3. To foster critical inquiry and otherresearch in the area of perioperativeallergy and in the long term, to supportthese endeavours by establishing aresearch database of anaestheticrelatedallergy within Australasia.4. To provide and maintain web basedresources including Australasianguidelines for the management andinvestigation of anaesthesia relatedanaphylaxis and to advise on referraland investigations after such an event.5. To seek opportunities to keepanaesthetists, immunologists andallergists updated regarding the subjectof anaesthesia related anaphylaxis.ANZAAG will hold its annual generalmeeting and educational symposiumfrom March 16-17, 2013 at the PrincessAlexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Theeducational component will be open toall anaesthetists and immunologistsand will focus on areas of interest inanaesthetic drug allergy.Anaesthetists with a special interestin anaesthetic drug allergy managementare invited to join the group. For furtherinformation please contact Dr Helen Crillyat hcrilly@onthenet.com.au.Dr Helen CrillyANZAAG Co-ordinator40 ANZCA Bulletin June 2012