School Nurse and Education Professionals
Asthma Guidelines for Schools
In response to many requests made by school nurses for more information about asthma, we have developed the Asthma Guidelines for Schools. This document is meant to be used as a guide for developing practices and policies that will help the school nurse and health office staff implement "best practice" care for schools. Quest for the Code is an online interactive game that helps children learn how to manage their asthma.
New School Inhaler Program
State legislature HB2208 and subsequent Arizona School Board of Education ruling now make it possible for public and charter schools to administer emergency Albuterol inhalers.
The inhaler regulation, pursuant to A.R.S. 155-158, includes the following provisions:
- School district and charter schools that elect to administer inhalers shall develop inhaler policies and procedures in compliance with the regulations.
- At least two designated employees per school must have annual training to recognize the symptoms of respiratory distress and how to render emergency treatment, the proper storage of medications, and emergency follow-up procedures.
- Participating schools are required to have a standing order for the use of the medication and a prescription issued by the chief medical officer of a county health department, a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Schools are allowed to accept monetary donations or grants for the purchase of inhalers, spacer and holding chambers.
- Persons who issue the standing order or employees of schools are immune from civil liability.
The annual cost to provide a stock inhaler and spacer or holding chamber to a school is $114. AAC is hosting all the information and online training needed to implement this program in your school.
Regulation Information:
Other Regulations:
HB2229 Asthma Rescue Medication Bill
Pupils With Anaphylaxis Carry and Self-Administer Emergency Medications, AZ Statute 15-341.35(a)
School Nurse Asthma Toolkit | ADEQ Air Quality Flag ProgramThe Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) instituted a voluntary program in 2004, asking school districts to ban school bus idling near the school building. Diesel emissions from school buses are harmful to everyone, but especially bad for children with asthma. One hundred fifty eight school districts and over 1,000 schools have joined the "No Idling Initiative for Schools." The program instructs drivers to turn off buses when reaching a school and not turn on the the engine until the vehicle is ready to depart. Buses should be parked at least 100 feet from a school air intake system. ADEQ's Air Quality Flag Program now has more than fifty participating schools. The program uses colored flags to alert students, teachers and parents about risks from dust and airborne particulates on high pollution days. Schools receive a daily air quality forecast from ADEQ's staff meteorologists with instructions to fly one of four flags: green for good air quality, yellow for moderate, orange for unhealthy for sensitive groups and red for unhealthy for everyone. With the flag flying, parents of students with asthma or other breathing ailments know what to expect and teachers can take precautions to protect students on bad-air days. |
