Allergen Immunotherapy Safety: Location Matters!

AAAAI members are directed to a new editorial written by AAAAI, ACAAI and JCAAI leadership. This editorial, which is published in the September issue of JACI: In Practice, affirms that location matters when administering subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy (SCIT).

A message about the editorial from AAAAI President Linda Cox, MD, FAAAAI, and Executive Vice President Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI, is below:

Dear Colleagues,

We have received many member communications expressing concern about subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy (SCIT) safety when administered outside of a medically supervised facility. In some instances, members have been consulted by patients seeking a viewpoint on home-based SCIT and the advisability of same.

As a result of numerous requests from members for guidance and how to accurately and properly communicate with patients regarding this issue, AAAAI, ACAAI and JCAAI leadership have jointly written a commentary entitled Allergen Immunotherapy Safety: Location Matters!, published in the September 2013 issue of JACI: In Practice. Read the article online at: http://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198%2813%2900303-6/abstract. The print edition of this issue will be mailed on September 10.

The commentary strongly urges all healthcare providers to adhere to the current Allergy Immunotherapy Practice Parameter recommendation that patients be appropriately assessed before and monitored after allergy immunotherapy injections in a medically supervised facility. This commentary sets forth the medical basis for the AAAAI, ACAAI and JCAAI’s commonly-held position and recommendation that a patient have SCIT administered in a medically supervised setting, which position is consistent with established practice guidelines. The commentary recognizes that many SCIT patients are cared for by primary care as well as allergy/immunology physicians AND stresses that the above-referenced current Allergy Immunotherapy Practice Parameter should be followed by all specialties.

In addition to the commentary, the JCAAI has published a New News You Can Use that addresses a number of inquiries regarding allergy/immunology practice by non-A/I specialists entitled Remote Practice - Clarifications that we encourage you to read: http://www.jcaai.org/file_depot/0-10000000/20000-30000/27387/folder/80927/2013-07-03_Remote_Practice_Clarifications.pdf

We hope you find this commentary a valuable resource in providing and recommending optimal, safe and effective care for patients.

Sincerely,

Linda Cox, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI President

Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI
AAAAI Executive Vice President