Recommendations follow WA allergy death

After investigating the death by nut-induced anaphylaxis of a 20-year old woman in remote Western Australia in 2007, the coroner has made several recommendations for improving the way in which serious allergies are treated. These recommendations include state-wide protocols for dealing with anaphylaxis, more allergy training for health professionals and hospitality staff, and establishment of video-link capabilities in all remote nursing posts.

The inquest concluded the young woman had not been properly educated by health authorities about her nut allergy. Because of this, it is believed she did not take her condition seriously enough to carry her prescribed adrenaline auto-injector with her. The Health Minister Kim Hames has apologised to the family of the woman and maintains he already has a team of people working on the recommendations of the inquest.

The woman was holidaying in the coastal town of Coral Bay when she ate a dessert that triggered the allergic reaction. The inquest found that the woman had not notified the café staff of her allergy. As her allergy had not been adequately diagnosed, it is not known whether she was allergic to the specific tree nut that was clearly contained in the dessert, or whether traces of peanut, that she was known to be allergic to, were present in the food. Tests of the foods she had consumed prior to her death were tested for peanuts as well as some tree nuts that diagnostic test kits are available for, however no traces were detected.

The inquest heard that all desserts served at the café potentially contain traces of peanut and tree nuts, and staff at the café are trained to advise any customers of this when asked. The café owner is reported to have said he and most of his staff had no formal training or education about dealing with anaphylaxis or food allergies, but would welcome such a move in the future.