About this course

Gain knowledge about food allergy, manage patients with food allergy on the ward, and understand the processes needed to ensure that the right meal or fluid is delivered to the right patient.

Who this course is for

• Hospital executives
• Directors of Nursing
• Nurse unit manager (or otherwise named)
• Ward staff educators
• Nurses (Registered and Enrolled)

Course modules and learning outcomes

There are four units in this All about Allergens course. Learning outcomes are assessed with short end of unit quizzes and a longer final assessment.

Unit 1: Food allergy overview

• Understand food allergy and the consequences of serving the wrong food to a patient with food allergy.
• Identify whole of system processes that can prevent allergic reactions happening in your hospital.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of the patient with food allergy (or their guardian), nursing and ward support staff, dietetics and the food service department.
• Describe a simple food allergy management process for a hospital. 
• Know the difference between a food allergy, a food intolerance and coeliac disease.
• Be able to list the common food allergens in Australia.
• Know what an allergic reaction might look like and the action to take.
• Understand how food allergen management in healthcare services applies to NSQHS Standards.

Unit 2: Hospital obligations and duty of care

• Understand what the law states about providing food to patients with food allergy and providing accurate information about food allergen content of menu items.
• Understand food labelling laws in Australia for packaged and unpackaged foods.
• Demonstrate knowledge of reading food labels and identifying food allergens on a label.
• Understand Precautionary Allergen Labelling statements and what these mean for patients with food allergy.
• Apply tools to address food allergen management on the ward.

Unit 3: Practical management of food allergy on the ward (Part 1)

• Understand how to document a patient’s allergies on admission.
• Know how to manage patient allergy medications.
• Be aware of the meal ordering processes in your hospital for patients with food allergy.
• Apply risk management strategies to minimise the risk of an allergic reaction.

Unit 4: Practical management of food allergy on the ward (Part 2)

• Identify and implement strategies on the ward to ensure that the right meal or fluid is given to the right patient.
• Describe and implement a suitable process for preparing foods for patients on the ward.
• Know how to manage patient self-serve environments, after hours snacks and foods brought from home.
• Understand how to report incidents related to food allergy.

Course length

This course takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Your progress is saved along the way, so you can stop and come back to the course at any time. It is recommended you complete the course within 2 weeks.

How often to undertake this course 

You should undertake this training at least every 2 years.

Latest version

All about Allergens for Hospitals: Ward managers and nurses (released 4 March 2023)

To start this course Register or enrol

Older versions

All about Allergens for Hospitals: Ward managers and nurses (released 20 September 2020 | superseded 4 March 2023)