Activity Description : Home infusion nurses are often the sole clinical presence when a patient begins to react during an infusion, and the stakes of correctly identifying what’s happening are high. A mild, common adverse infusion reaction can look deceptively similar to the early signs of true anaphylaxis, yet the response required for each is dramatically different. This session equips nurses and clinical leaders with the knowledge and confidence to rapidly distinguish between the two, respond appropriately in real time, and know when a reaction requires emergency escalation versus supportive management and continued monitoring.

Handouts/Tools: Interactive Ideas 1. “Spot the Difference” case pairs Present two short, side-by-side scenario cards, one describing a classic AIR (mild flushing, headache, chills) and one describing early anaphylaxis (throat tightness, hives spreading rapidly, dropping blood pressure). Have small groups identify which is which and justify their reasoning before revealing the answer. 2. Timed decision drill Read a scenario aloud that starts ambiguous and escalates in real time (“the patient reports mild itching… now they’re saying their throat feels tight…”). At each escalation point, have the room call out what they’d do next. This mimics the real-time pressure of a home visit where symptoms evolve quickly. 3. Escalation pathway mapping In small groups, have participants map out their own organization’s actual escalation steps for a suspected anaphylactic reaction in the home, on-call contact, EMS activation, documentation. Compare maps across groups to surface gaps or inconsistencies in how different teams currently respond. 4. EpiPen and emergency kit walk-through If feasible, incorporate a hands-on or demonstration component where attendees practice or observe proper epinephrine auto-injector technique, since hesitation or improper administration in the moment is a common real-world barrier. 5. “What would you document?” exercise Give attendees a brief reaction scenario and have them draft, individually or in pairs, what their documentation would include. Compare responses as a group to reinforce what’s often missed (time of onset, interventions in order, patient response, follow-up plan).