Allergy immunotherapy in the primary care setting: integrating national practice standards to promote safe delivery

Allergy immunotherapy (AI) is frequently administered outside of the prescribing allergist's office in the primary care setting. Errors in this therapy can result in a wide variety of problems, ranging from local reactions to death. Proper documentation and instructions from the prescribing allergist's office as well as forms designed for complete and accurate documentation of therapy are vital components of safe administration. This article presents findings from a review of AI records in a primary care setting. Problems in documentation that could contribute to errors are examined and related to national standards of practice. Suggestions for process improvement are outlined.