Asthma Management for Students in Saint Paul Public Schools
Vision: Students with Asthma are under Good Control
Welcome. Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Children spend up to ten hours each day at school - more than any other setting besides home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood asthma is associated with 14 million lost school days annually.
Community heath care providers are vital to helping kids with asthma remain in good control. Saint Paul Public Schools works with community health care providers to help students remain healthy. Healthy students are able to remain in school, learn and grow. Thank you for your support as we work together to improve outcomes for students with asthma.
Asthma Action Plan
- We prefer an Asthma Action Plan (AAP).
- The AAP allows school nurses and other school staff better care for students with asthma at school.
- Successful asthma management depends heavily upon the collaboration and communication between school, families, and health care providers.
- You may continue to use the AAP you usually use.
- You can use the link below to access an AAP form.
- Any AAP, when signed by Health Care Provider, serves as consent to administer medication at school.
- Fax AAPs to 651-632-3731 Student Placement Center - Health Office (Include student name and date of birth).
Self Care
- Upon written recommendation of the prescribing doctor/nurse practitioner, parent/guardian and after consultation with the school nurse, a student may be allowed to self-administer medication, provided that the school nurse has developed a written health care plan.
Role of the School Nurse in Asthma
- School nurses serve an important function to help students remain in school and ready to learn.
- The school nurse partners with students, families, health care providers, school administrators, and school staff so that kids with asthma remain in good control.
- Students with asthma in good control miss less days of school and can avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
The school nurse provides:
1) Direct health care to students who experience an asthma episode (exacerbation) in school.
2) Asthma Education
- School nurses check that students know how to use their inhalers correctly for their age and developmental stage.
- School nurses can help students understand how to check their peak flows.
- School nurses help students follow their asthma action plan.
- School nurses teach students and families about asthma, such as early warning signs of asthma and avoiding asthma triggers.
3) Coordinate care between providers, families, and schools.
- School nurses may be the first health care person that sees a child with asthma that is poorly controlled or undiagnosed.
- School nurses help kids connect with providers to review their asthma care or get an appropriate diagnosis.
- Some students may not know they have asthma. Students may see the school nurse because they are coughing, coughing at night, can't participate in school activities, or have other symptoms. School nurses can explain why the student should be seen and connect them with health care providers. The right diagnosis can help kids get on track to asthma management.
- Some students may know they have asthma but are having a hard time managing their asthma for some reason. For example, teenagers face many changes that can make managing asthma more challenging. School nurses can identify students that may need to see their health care provider to reevaluate their medication.
4) Teach parents and school staff how to identify asthma.
- School nurses provide classroom education so that children and families have the tools they need to manage asthma.
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