School Nurse Asthma Training
Breathe Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing are collaborating to present a pediatric asthma training: Current Asthma Classifications/Treatment Guidelines and Breath Sounds Training.
Participants successfully completing this training will be awarded a maximum of three (3) continuing nursing education contact hours. The University of Pittsburgh is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. ANCC Provider Number 0229.
Breathe Pennsylvania recognizes how difficult it sometimes is for all school nurses within a district to attend this type of training. So with this in mind, Jessica Schuman, RN, BSN and Jeannie Simms, BA, AE-C will arrange to come to you, making it possible for all nurses within a district to have an opportunity to attend and receive the CEUs.
The cost for this 3-hour CEU training is $10 per nurse. The training will help to define asthma best practice in school procedure and policy. The program objectives are:
- Explain the four asthma classifications and which medications are used for each classification.
- Describe Aerosol Drug Delivery Systems, the difference between rescue and controlling medications, and demonstrate proper technique using a spacer.
- Identify and interpret four abnormal breath sounds and how to respond.
- Demonstrate how to use a peak flow meter and how to establish green/yellow/red zones for proper asthma management.
Strategies to Address Allergies’ Impact on Students with Asthma
Breathe Pennsylvania recognizes how difficult it sometimes is for all school nurses within a district to attend this type of training. So with this in mind, Jessica Schuman, RN, BSN, AE-C and Jeannie Simms, BA, AE-C
Breathe Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing are jointly providing “Current Asthma Classifications/Treatment Guidelines and Breathe Sounds.” Nurses participating in the learning activity and completing the evaluation may be awarded a maximum of 3 continuing nursing education contact hours. The University of Pittsburgh is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Why is a training on allergies and asthma important?
- 10-20% of children have skin allergies
- 10% have respiratory allergies
- 9% have hay fever
- 8-10% have asthma and
- 4-6% of these children have food allergies
In school we see these statistics:
Studies show that 16%–18% of children with food allergies have had a reaction from accidentally eating food allergens while at school. In addition, 25% of the severe and potentially life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) reported at schools, happened in children with no previous diagnosis of food allergy.
This 3 hour training will cover:
- Define and differentiate asthma & allergy.
- Describe common allergies, symptoms, and treatment.
- Explain how allergies impact students with asthma.
- Demonstrate how to assess and handle asthma and allergy in the school setting, utilizing asthma/allergy action plans which assign roles for school management.
This training is rich with interactive case studies and answers to questions posed by our local school nurses. Some of these questions include:
- Can I Use Another Student’s EpiPen to Save a Child’s Life?
- Can we use an Epi-pen for an asthma attack
- If there is an asthma/ allergy emergency, what can I do while waiting for the ambulance?
- Can poorly managed asthma affect sleep and academic performance?
And more!
Education for Students with Asthma Program
Breathe Pennsylvania provides two free one-hour educational training sessions to students with asthma in grades K-12.
Students learn about the respiratory system, early warning signs, triggers and medications. A Breathe Pennsylvania Certified Asthma Educator will educate students on how to properly use a peak flow meter and a spacer with an inhaler.
All students in attendance receive a Student Asthma Kit. Permission forms are required for each student participating in the program.
Elementary and Middle School Students:
Session 1 — covers asthma management and proper spacer technique.
Session 2 — scheduled one month after session 1, covers a review of asthma management and proper use of the peak flow meter.
High School Students:
Session 1 — covers asthma management, proper spacer and peak flow meter technique.
Session 2 — scheduled three months after session 1, provides support with transitional issues as the student gets ready to assume responsibility for their asthma upon graduation into university, trade school, armed services, or employment.
School Asthma Initiative (SAI) Program Information
For Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, and Westmoreland county please contact:
Jeannie Simms, BA, AE-C
Senior Director of Asthma Education and Programs
Office: (724) 772-1750 | Cell: (412) 855-4594
For Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, and Washington country please contact:
Jessica Schuman, RN, BSN, AE-C
Director of Asthma Education and Programs
Office: (724) 772-1750 | Cell: (724) 900-1115