At a recent clinical meeting, our local allergy guru Helen Crilly spoke about the growing and potentially lethal problem of chlorhexidine allergy. Helen has graciously provided the source documents for the chlorhexidine allergy kits that have recently been added to the red anaphylaxis boxes.

From Helen;

Please find attached docs from the Friday night meeting as promised. Other than the ANZCA Docs these aids are not endorsed – just what I use to manage chlorhexidine free when I have a case. We are going to develop this and ultimately get it up on ANZAAG website.

The documents are mostly in word format so that they can be customised according to local needs.

• Drug infusion guidelines for JFH
• Docs for chlorhex free management including ANZCA docs
  • ANZCA PS 60 - periop management
  • ANZCA PS 60 - Background paper
  • Management guidelines
• Chlorhex stickers – Wipes sticker is meant to be placed near all injection points to prevent wiping of IV line access points. The Chlorhexidine anaphylaxis label can be used on cover of chart or other documents that you want to highlight chlorhex allergy, on patient wrist bands (or patient forehead if necessary!) These should be printed on 14 sticker (7×2) Avery template L7163FP – available from Officeworks in a variety of colours (I prefer the fluoro pink).
  • Labels
  • Wipes
• Chlorhex signs – sent as word docs in case anyone wants to customise. Best if they are laminated.
  • Sign
  • Theatre sign
  • Do not use