ReservoirWestPrimary School is an accredited AsthmaFriendlySchool and as such takes it’s responsibilities towards Asthma management very seriously. Asthma affects up to one in four primary aged children, one in seven teenagers and one in ten adults. It is important, therefore, for all staff members at ReservoirWestPrimary School to be aware of asthma, its symptoms and triggers, and the management of asthma in a school environment.
Aims
To manage asthma and asthma sufferers as effectively and efficiently as possible at school.
To ensure that teachers must be aware of all asthmatic symptoms and their varying severity.
To ensure teachers know the roles of asthma medication.
To ensure that at school camps or excursions, teachers must be aware of preventative medications that need to be taken on a regular basis, for which parents or carers would normally be responsible unless a medication form has been filled in and received by the school.
To consider the programming implications for students with asthma; e.g sport, swimming, weather conditions.
To ensure that teachers will immediately administer the Asthma Management Emergency Procedures with children suffering an asthma attack.
To encourage Parents/Teachers to provide feedback to each other about asthma attacks and their various repercussions with respect to each student where applicable eg tiredness.
These guidelines are drawn from the Victorian School Asthma Policy, which should be familiar to all staff.
Teachers will annually update their knowledge about asthma through short presentations, printed information and professional in-service. Charts of asthma management will be on display in the staffroom and in various locations around the school.
Letters will be sent home to Parents at the start of the year and requiring them to update Asthma Management Plans via the information update sheets. An Asthma Register will be housed in the First Aid Room and with the First Aid Co-Ordinator. The First Aid Co-Ordinator will be responsible for administering the Asthma Register and collection of the Asthma Management Plans on behalf of the school.
Children should have their own medication as the school will have relievers only, available in the First Aid Room and in the First Aid Kits. Students who have their own medicine must have a Medication Plan filled in and returned by a parent/guardian with relevant details.
A teacher (Senior Teacher or First Aid trained) will be responsible for administering ‘preventer’ medications on camp.
Staff and the school community will strive to identify and minimise potential asthma triggers within the school environment.
All students with asthma must have an up to date (annual) written Asthma Management Plan consistent with Asthma Victoria’s requirements completed by their doctor or paediatrician.
Asthma Plans will be placed in the student’s records, in the First Aid room and with the First Aid Co-Ordinator
Parents and/or guardians are responsible for ensuring their children have an adequate supply of appropriate asthma medication (including a spacer if required) with them at school at all times.
In case of an emergency the school will provide, and have trained staff to administer, reliever puffers and spacer devices. Puffers and spacers will be present in all First Aid Kits.
Clear written instructions on how to use these medications and devices will be included in each first aid kit; along with steps to be taken to treat severe asthma attacks. Kits will contain 70% alcohol swabs to clean devices after use.
The First Aid Co-ordinator will be responsible for checking reliever puffer expiry dates and replacing as necessary. They will also be responsible for contacting the Asthma Foundation annually to check for updates.
Children showing signs of an asthma attack will be treated in accordance with their asthma plan and their parents and/or guardian will be contacted.
If no plan is available refer to “Asthma First Aid” poster and contact parents and/or primary carers.
Regular reminders will be placed in the newsletter for parents and/or primary carers of children with asthma, to provide an up-to-date Asthma Plan for their children.
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Reservoir West Medication Policy and The Victorian Schools Asthma Policy which is available from the school on request.
