Location to wait after allergy shot
Question:
11/21/2017
I am an allergist and work for a large multi-specialty group. After our patients receive an allergy shot they then wait in the waiting room for 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes they are brought back to an exam room and examined by my staff for an allergic reaction. My administration is looking for something that states it is acceptable for patients to wait in the waiting room for this 30 minute period. I have read through the practice parameters and it just states that patients should wait in the physician office. They would like something that specifically states they may wait in a waiting room of a physician's office.
Answer:
I read through the practice parameter and the statement for post AIT waiting is "Patients should wait at the physician’s office/medical clinic for at least 30 minutes after the immunotherapy injection or injections so that reactions can be recognized and treated promptly if they occur." The practice parameter did not specifically state where in the physician’s office the patient must wait. In my practice patients receive their AIT and then will wait in the waiting room for the 30 minute period. Thus the patient is easily accessible to immediate treatment if they were to have an allergic reaction to AIT.
I hope this has been helpful.
Andrew Murphy MD FAAAAI