GA²LEN Anaphylaxis Centres of Reference and Excellence – ANACARE

GA²LEN, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, has recently launched a programme for the development, interaction and accreditation of centers of reference and excellence in special areas of allergy embedded in its overall quality management of allergy centres of excellence.

Anaphylaxis is a debilitating condition and can be a challenge for both patients and treating physicians. Centers of reference and excellence in Anaphylaxis (ANACAREs) can help to improve the management of hard-to-treat conditions. Here, we describe the aims, the requirements and deliverables, the application process, and the audit and accreditation protocol for GA²LEN ANACAREs. The main aims of GA²LEN ANACAREs are to;

1. provide excellence in anaphylaxis and food allergy management.
2. increase knowledge of anaphylaxis and food allergy with research, education and studies.
3. to promote the awareness of anaphylaxis and food allergy by advocacy activities.

GA²LEN ANACARE audit

A GA²LEN ANACARE audit visit and meeting make sure that an anaphylaxis centre complies with the rules and fulfills the requirements of GA²LEN ANACARE. The audit visit is also meant to strengthen the interaction between ANACAREs and to promote the discussion of anaphylaxis management, the organization of anaphylaxis centers and joint anaphylaxis projects in the future.

• An ANACARE audit is to be held in a place that allows for collegial discussions and meaningful exchange.
• The centre that is audited should provide enough space and time to properly do the audit.
• Up to 2 hours should be scheduled for the audit meeting, and all the documentation required should be accessible at the time of the audit.
• The centre should be ready to show to the auditor(s) the rooms and setup of the centre, and the team of the centre should be present during the audit in addition to the head of the anaphylaxis centre.
• The auditing of some of the requirements involves a review of patient files and standard operating procedures. These should be made available during the audit.

Auditors and auditees should see the audit visit as an opportunity to learn from each other, to promote the harmonization of anaphylaxis management and to discuss and plan possible network projects and interactions.