Use of a patient’s own adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector in hospital

Please note that this guidance is currently undergoing review by Safer Care Victoria to ensure  the content is up to date. In the meantime, we recommend that you also refer to more contemporaneous evidence where possible.

Patient of all ages (adult, teens and children) who carry an adrenaline autoinjector (or EpiPen®) should hold on to them in hospital in case they have a severe reaction – known as anaphylaxis.

It has become common practice for hospital staff to take autoinjectors from patients on admission. But this is not necessary. It is much safer for patients to have access to quick treatment if they are having an unexpected reaction to food, medication, or other triggers.

This change package contains tools designed to help health services develop and implement a local policy for managing people who are at risk of anaphylaxis, and who have an adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector and anaphylaxis action plan.

Our package includes materials you can adapt:

• Fact sheet for staff: This details the legislation and regulations relating to adrenaline autoinjectors.
• Checklist for health services: This will help you assess the capacity of the patient (family or carer) to recognise anaphylaxis and administer adrenaline via the autoinjector.
• Fact sheet for patients and families: This contains information for the patient and their family or carer for managing anaphylaxis while in hospital. This suggested content can be quickly adapted for your use.

Related guidance

Anaphylaxis (adults)