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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Susan Eileen Glenn, RN, BSN, CSN, Bucks County Intermediate Unit # 22, Everett McDonald Elementary School, 666 Reeves Lane, Warminster, PA 18974, 215-297-8149, seglenn56@yahoo.com and Mary Ellen Miller, MSN, RN, School of Nursing, La Salle University, 1900 West Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141.

It is well recognized that asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism caused by a chronic illness. Healthy People 2010 addresses this public health threat by promoting respiratory health through prevention, detection, early treatment and education. It is imperative that school based asthma education is implemented for at risk populations. Furthermore, students with autism and multiple disabilities present unique challenges for their teachers and staff. These special needs students, additionally challenged with a diagnosis of asthma, require medication and treatment during the school day to prevent respiratory distress and promote respiratory stability. The knowledge of this care is required for both the school nurse and the educational staff to provide success for the student in their educational experience. This poster describes a graduate student project, utilizing Anderson and McFarlane's Community as Partner Model, currently in progress at a suburban Pennsylvania elementary school. An innovative approach was utilized with formal discussion and a power point presentation targeted towards special educational staff, physical therapists, occupational therapists, job coach and administrator. Content areas included an overview of asthma incidence in the school-aged population, signs and symptoms, medication administration, triggers and irritants. Additionally, hands-on flow meter demonstrations were performed. Summative evaluations of pre and post testing revealed increased participant knowledge after attending the session. At the heart of the special educators and school nurse practice is the belief that all children have the right to learn and that children have the right to an education without exclusion of disability or chronic illness.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of the session the participant will be able to

1.Recognize the signs and symptoms of an asthma episode.
• Identify allergens and irritants in a school setting.
• Define replication strategies that can be used in their own institutions of educational learning.

Keywords: Asthma, School-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered