A Model for Consolidating High-Risk Allergy Procedures in Clinic

Background: Allergists perform a range of procedures with inherent risks of anaphylaxis. This study developed risk assessments for various procedures performed at our specialized referral center based on the frequency of epinephrine use during these procedures. Methods: During a 5.5-year period, 5 allergists referred patients to a monthly high-risk procedure clinic (total of 66 clinic days). We conducted a retrospective medical records review from 2016 to 2021 to assess the types of procedures performed, instances of procedure termination, and use of epinephrine. Results: A total of 596 procedures were performed: 305 food challenges, 103 aeroallergen immunotherapy rush inductions, 75 drug challenges, 66 ultrarush inductions of venom immunotherapy, 12 drug desensitizations, 14 vaccine challenges (11 COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], 2 influenza, 1 Tdap [tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis]), and 21 miscellaneous nonvaccine challenges. Most procedures (n=551, 92.4%) were completed; 45 procedures (7.6%) were aborted early because of patient, parent, or physician requests. Reasons included the child not wanting to eat the food, the patient developing a headache, and other factors. Fifty-one of the 596 procedures (8.6%) required epinephrine administration: 32/305 (10.5%) for food challenges, 12/103 (11.7%) for aeroallergen immunotherapy rush inductions, 2/75 (2.7%) for drug challenges, 2/66 (3.0%) for ultrarush inductions of venom immunotherapy, 3/12 (25.0%) for drug desensitizations, and 0/35 (0%) for other challenges. Two patients required emergency department transfers, with no instances resulting in hospitalization or patient mortality. Conclusion: These data identify risks associated with diverse procedures conducted in allergy clinics. While 8.6% of cases required epinephrine, the majority of reactions were manageable within the clinic setting. These findings underscore the allergist's role in performing procedures with potential anaphylactic outcomes and managing anaphylaxis when it occurs in the clinic setting. Additionally, the procedure clinic model is an effective educational tool that provides fellows-in-training with exposure to the identification and management of acute anaphylaxis.