Asthma management plans
[Click on the asterisk next to shaded terms for definitions.]

School staff need a plan for managing asthma at the school.  Students with asthma also need their own individualized asthma action plan.

An asthma management plan tells you "what to do when."

Management plans for schools and students are important because asthma can sometimes quickly become a life-threatening situation requiring immediate action.  Additionally, untreated asthma can significantly affect student academic performance.

Be sure to read the section Asthma Essentials: Handling Asthma at School for more information.

Asthma management plans for schools

A school asthma management plan outlines what the school will do to help students who have asthma.  Many school districts develop a generalized asthma management plan.  Individual schools then tailor the plan to meet their specific needs.

A good asthma management plan helps keep a student's asthma under control.

School asthma management plans should address the following areas:

• asthma basics
• asthma triggers, especially at school
• procedures the school will use for administering daily medications at school, including whether students may carry/use medication outside the school clinic
• what supplies, medications, or equipment are provided through the school (such as Epi-Pen< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/epipen.htm','termepipen','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">, nebulizer< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/nebulizer.htm','termnebulizer','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">, peak flow meters< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/peakflow.htm','termpeakflow','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">, etc.)
• recognizing acute symptoms requiring prompt action
  
• which students have asthma and what their specific asthma care needs are at school
• resources for more information

Regular staff training sessions, designed to meet specific asthma information needs for different school staff groups are recommended.  Target audiences include:

• teachers, instructional assistants, visiting or "roving" teachers, substitutes
• physical education teachers and recess supervisors
• food service workers
• environmental services, buildings and grounds managers
• administrators, administrative staff
• school nurses, clinic aides
• bus drivers
• after-school staff
• coaches

Asthma action plans for students

Every student who has asthma needs to have an asthma action plan on file with the school nurse.  A copy of the plan also should be given to the student's teachers and coaches.  A student's asthma action plan is developed by the student's health care provider, parents and the student.

The school nurse can assist families in customizing the student's action plan for use at school and/or school-related events, such as field trips or sporting activities.

An "asthma action card" is often used to outline the student's asthma action plan.  The asthma action card is a form containing vital information related to the student and his or her asthma care.

Each student's asthma action plan will vary.  An individual student's asthma action plan may be adjusted during the school year, or from year to year, because the student's prescribed treatment plan may be adjusted periodically.

A student's asthma action plan should tell school personnel the following information:

• student name, age, sex, grade, classroom, teacher
  
• parent/guardian name and contact information
• physician/health care provider and contact information
• student photo
• regular medications, emergency medications, other medications regularly used, with regular/daily and emergency dosages noted
• triggers or conditions that may worsen asthma symptoms
• protocol for handling increased symptoms or emergency situations
• student's best peak flow reading (if used)
• any special instructions
• physician and parent/guardian signature

Goals of good asthma management (from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

1. Normal or near normal breathing
   
2. Normal levels of activity, including exercise
   
3. Preventing recurring symptoms
4. Preventing recurring asthma episodes or asthma attacks

Remember: Asthma can be controlled. Expect nothing less!

What to do when asthma gets out of control

Send comments and questions to: info@asthmaandschools.org

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