Let's not forget that in EPIC, and I am guessing other EMR systems, the allergy section isn't just for ALLERGIES. It includes INTOLERANCE and CONTRAINDICATIONS.
Over the years I have seen medications or foods entered as ALLERGIES and made corrections when necessary. Lactose intolerance is one example. Some medications can't be taken when a patient is on a certain medication, hence a contraindication.
And please add what symptoms or reactions the patient experiences with these medications or foods, and the severity level. I often have to fill in these blanks.
Environmental/seasonal/plant allergies and insect allergies should be included. Think of it as being part of the patient's medical history. There's a reason that patient is on antihistamines or walks around with an EpiPen.
And nurses can click on Allergies VERIFIED, especially right before administering any medications or vaccines. It's for patient safety, and let's face it, covers your RN license.
Original Message:
Sent: 2/17/2026 1:29:00 PM
From: Heather Wilkinson
Subject: RE: Allergy Removal
I feel the need to disagree with the comment about RNs removing allergies from a patient chart.
If an allergy has been entered in error i.e. a patient states they are "allergic" when in reality they have a sensitivity to a drug or a food, this is not a medical diagnosis and can be removed by a RN. I have encountered many individuals who do not fully understand the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity and automatically assume their symptoms are allergic in nature. The vast majority of the time, allergies are entered into a patient's chart by a nurse or medical assistant, not an MD, NP or PA, during the initial visit. That entry is based upon what the patient states they are allergic to. This is not diagnosing an allergy.
There also have been instances wherein a patient is "diagnosed" with an allergy, especially to an antibiotic and it turns out not to be such. I saw this multiple times in the Allergy/Asthma practice I worked in where patients were told by a physician in the past to avoid a medication or a food and after performing a challenge, it was discovered there really was no allergy at all. While it is true that oftentimes the MD would delete the so-called allergy, the nurses were allowed to do so as well.
I had a personal experience in this respect with amoxicillin. During my mid-20s, I was put on the drug and after taking it for 7 days, I developed a rash on my arms. One of the physicians where I worked assumed it was an allergy so I avoided penicillin for three decades which was completely unnecessary.
Heather A. Wilkinson BSN, RN, AMB-BC
Original Message:
Sent: 2/16/2026 8:04:00 AM
From: Meridith Vaughan
Subject: RE: Allergy Removal
Hello,
Registered nurses should not delete or remove allergies from a patient chart. Only a licensed provider can do this because it is not within the scope of practice for a nurse to make a diagnosis or decide something is not a diagnosis. An allergy is essentially a medical diagnosis like any other chronic medical condition. An RN can amend or clarify an allergy, but removing it altogether is the responsibility of a provider.
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[Melissa] [Budnick]
[Membership and Association Services Manager]
[AAACN]
[Pitman] [NJ]
[856-256-2326]
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2026 11:53
From: Emily Tobin
Subject: Allergy Removal
Hello,
Curious as to practice at other institutions- are your nursing staff (RN, LPN, MA) allowed to remove a patient allergy from the EHR, or does this responsibility fall to a provider?
Thanks!
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[Melissa] [Budnick]
[Membership and Association Services Manager]
[AAACN]
[Pitman] [NJ]
[856-256-2326]
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