Asthma Care Policy 2016 Aims A. To care for students with asthma B. To provide Asthma education to staff, students and families Scope and Application This policy is available on the school website and is included in the staff induction manual. This policy applies to: A. Employees B. Students C. Parents D. Community members E. Visitors to the school Procedures A. Education 1. Asthma education will be included in the curriculum 2. Students with asthma will be shown the procedure for taking asthma medication with a spacer device 3. Parents will be offered information about asthma, asthma treatment and potential triggers 4. Asthma education will be provided for staff, including training for procedure in the case of; a. an asthma attack, b. use of a disposable spacer device and c. purpose of different asthma medications 5. Staff will be required to complete the Education and Care First Aid qualification to meet National Quality Standards. Early childhood teachers will undergo specific training relevant to younger children. B. Record keeping 1. Student health records will be kept in a place accessible to all staff 2. All students with asthma will complete an Asthma Record Form (see Attachment A) 3. A list of students with asthma will be posted with the asthma first aid procedure Page 1 of 7 Asthma Care Policy 28-06-2016
4. If any student has a personal first aid plan that varies from the standard first aid plan, this will also be posted 5. Staff will be informed of all students in the school who have asthma C. Medication 1. Two current blue reliever puffers (eg Ventolin) will be kept so at least one is available to students at all times if one is taken out of the school on an excursion. 2. Single use, disposable spacer devices will be available 3. Students who require asthma medication on a regular ongoing basis are required to provide their own medication and spacer. 4. Staff will assist students to take ongoing medication if required (see Administration of Medication Policy) D. Emergency Procedure A poster will be displayed, describing the first aid procedure in case of an asthma attack. This procedure will be followed except if a student has a personal asthma first aid plan, then their plan will be followed. E. Camps, excursions and out of school programs 1. At least one responsible adult capable of administering first aid for an asthma attack will be present at all times. 2. Asthma medication, a spacer device and a copy of the procedure for asthma first aid (see Attachment B) will be kept in the emergency first aid kit. 3. A current list of students with asthma and any individual asthma first aid plans will be taken on camps and excursions. F. Participation in activities 1. Students with asthma are able to participate in all school activities, including physical education and daily fitness and it is beneficial for them to do so. 2. Any sporting activity except SCUBA is suitable for students with asthma. Swimming is less likely to trigger exercise induced asthma whilst endurance running, eg cross country, is more likely to trigger an asthma attack. 3. If a student is prone to exercise induced asthma they should: a. Be given 2 puffs of asthma reliever medication 20 minutes before the activity b. Start with a gradual warm up (ie walking) and finish with a cool down c. If they show symptoms of asthma, be given 2 puffs of reliever and wait 10 minutes. If the symptoms have stopped, they may resume the activity. If symptoms begin again, be given 2 puffs of reliever but not resume the activity. 4. If a student known to have asthma has a cold or flu, the teacher s judgment should be used to determine whether they should participate in a physical activity. Page 2 of 7 Asthma Care Policy 28-06-2016
G. School Environment The school aims to minimise potential asthma triggers at school. If any student had a particular known trigger (eg a food or additive allergy or a particular plant) we would aim to eliminate or minimise its presence at school if possible and within reason. Responsibilities A. Council 1. Will maintain asthma friendly school status 2. Will authorise any changes in the school environment designed to minimise potential triggers for asthma B. Coordinator 1. Will implement this policy 2. Will schedule Asthma education sessions for staff (every 3 years) through Asthma Foundation of Australia. C. Administration Staff 1. Request medical information from parents/carers on all new students in the school to ensure the school is aware of all students with asthma or severe allergies. 2. Keep a record of students with asthma (see Sample Student Asthma Record Form in Appendix 2). 3. Keep Student Asthma Records in a central location e.g. with school medical records, in staff room, sick room. 4. Ensure Student Asthma Records are easily accessible to the teachers responsible for each student with asthma. 5. Provide teachers with a list of students in their care who have asthma. 6. Will oversee the audit of first aid kits and asthma medication/spacers. D. Teaching Staff 1. Will know the symptoms of an asthma attack and what to do in an emergency 2. Will be aware of all students in the school with asthma 3. Will assist students in taking regular asthma medication if required 4. Will ensure asthma reliever medication and spacer is taken on all school outings (excursion coordinator) E. Parents 1. Will provide the school with a current asthma plan supplied by the child's GP 2. Will ensure their child has a supply of appropriate medication that is current and correctly labeled and a spacer. Page 3 of 7 Asthma Care Policy 28-06-2016
F. Students 1. Will be aware of their own asthma triggers 2. Will be familiar with the procedure for taking asthma reliever medication with a spacer device 3. Will take care of any asthma medication they have at school or give it to a member of staff for safe keeping Related Legislation A. School Education Act 1999 Related Kerry Street Documentation A. Policies including: 1. Enrolment Policy 2. Duty of Care Policy 3. First Aid Policy 4. Administration of Medication Policy 5. Emergency Procedures Policy 6. Communicable Diseases Policy 7. Excursion and Camp Policies 8. Curriculum Policy B. Administration of Medication Agreement More Information A. Asthma Friendly School Guidelines, Asthma Australia B. The Asthma Foundation of WA will provide free Asthma Education Sessions Contact Person Enquires relating to this policy should be directed to the School Coordinator or Council President. Breaches of this Policy Any breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Attachments A. Student Asthma Record (from Asthma Friendly Schools Guidelines) B. Asthma First Aid (from Asthma Friendly School Guidelines) Page 4 of 7 Asthma Care Policy 28-06-2016
Authorisation and Review A. This policy was read, discussed and endorsed by the staff in December 2004 B. It was authorised by the Kerry Street Community School Council on 8/2/05 C. It will be reviewed by January 2006 or when the school becomes an official asthma friendly school (Kerry Street became an asthma friendly school in March 2005) D. Reviewed on 13/1/06 by meeting of staff and council E. Revised section on physical activity for students with asthma after professional development with Asthma Foundation on 8/2/06. Ratified by council on F. Review by 13/1/11 G. Reviewed and approved June 2015 H. Reviewed and accepted 17 th May 2016 by email. I. Reference to Asthma Friendly School status removed from Aims June 2016 J. To be reviewed June 2017 Helen Sugars Duff Page 5 of 7 Asthma Care Policy 28-06-2016
Asthma Care Policy 2016 Attachment A Procedures