JOHN XXIII COLLEGE

Asthma Management Guidelines(updated 2009)

Rationale

The College has a duty of care to provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment for all staff and students.
John XXIII College is registered as an ‘Asthma Friendly School’ with The Asthma Foundation Of Western Australia.

What is Asthma?

As we breathe, air moves in and out of the lungs through branching airways. People with asthma have sensitive or “twitchy” airways. When they are exposed to certain “triggers” (eg. Cigarette smoke,dust, exercise), their airways narrow making it hard for them to breathe.

• The main symptoms of asthma are:
• Wheezing – a high pitched raspy sound on breathing
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest

These symptoms vary from person to person, and from time to time within the same person. Some people have all the symptoms, while some may only have a cough  or wheeze. Symptoms can also vary considerably in intensity.

First Aid for Asthma

If a student has difficulty breathing or his/her asthma deteriorates John XXIII College follows the Asthma First Aid Plan by The Asthma Foundation of Western Australia. Staff to Follow First Aid Procedures.

Role of the College

• Parents complete and sign Medical Information on their child/ren at enrolment or as part of regular health updates. If a child has asthma, the asthma section should be completed by the parent/guardian.
• The medical information is entered on Maze and staff have access to this information.
• Ensure staff are aware of students with asthma by accessing information on Maze and this information is also available on hard copy in staff room.
• Ensure staff are given information and follow the management  on Asthma first aid and Asthma at School –for School Staff by The Asthma Foundation of Western Australia.
• Reliever medication and spacers placed in: all first aid kits on campus and in Health Centre.
• Ensure adequate staff have current first aid qualifications.
•  Staff must never leave a student alone having an asthma attack. Staff must give immediate asthma treatment.
• Ensure staff consider the needs of the child with asthma before planning class parties, excursions, camps, exams and sporting activities. 
• Arrange Asthma seminars for staff facilitated by the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia.
• Ensure staff aware that ventolin and spacers are kept in sports first aid kits, pool area, duty belt bags, day excursion kits, camp kits, student reception, evacuation first aid kits, science department, technology and enterprise department, drama department, secondary mary ward centre, canteen, library,  and health centre.
• Asthma first aid instructions attached to spacers.
• When a child is mature enough, staff must encourage students to carry their own reliever  medication on them at all times.
• Asthma first aid poster placed in staff room, library,sport department, Health centre.
• Staff are advised on how to address the possible negative impacts of social or emotional responses of other students  to child with asthma. This may include teasing, bullying or daring a student to take health risks.
• Parents will be contacted if student has asthma symptoms of concern.

Role of the Parent and student

• Parents/carers are responsible for the provision of accurate, up to date health information about their child. Parents/carers complete and sign a medical information form on enrolment or as part of regular health updates.
• Information on child’s asthma is completed under asthma section on medical form. Parents may supply child’s Asthma Action Plan completed by doctor.
• Parents/carers should educate their child/ren on how to manage their Asthma at school .As soon as a child is old enough, the child must keep their reliever medication on them at all times.
• Parents/carers should inform teacher, nurse of any changes to their child’s asthma.
• Parent/carer should keep their child at home if he/she is not well enough to attend school.
• students must carry their reliever medication on them at all times.
• students must attend health centre if feeling unwell with asthma symptoms.

References

Asthma Foundation of Western Australia
Asthma at School – asthma.org.uk