St Joseph’s Catholic High School
Business & Enterprise College
“Living, loving, learning – through Christ”
By
· Living and promoting the Catholic faith in a spirit of tolerance, with Jesus at the centre of everything we do.
· Loving and caring for all and worshipping God together.
· Learning by providing enterprising educational opportunities to enable all to reach their full potential.
· Recognising our responsibility to the local and global community
Name of Policy: Management of Asthma
Person Responsible for Policy Development: Mrs A Brook
Governor Committee: Pupils/Behaviour/Health and Safety
Adopted: 26th January 2015
Review: June 2017
Reviewed Annually
Located: School Website, Staff Shared Area, Policy File
Management of Asthma Policy
Introduction
St Joseph’s Catholic High School recognises that asthma is a widespread, serious but controllable condition affecting some pupils at the school. We encourage pupils with asthma to achieve their potential in all aspects of school life by having a clear policy that is understood by school staff, governors and pupils.
Information about Asthma
§ people with asthma have sensitive air passages which are quick to respond to anything that irritates them (triggers).
§ when triggered the air passages of the lungs become narrow, making it difficult to breathe in and out.
§ narrowing of the air passages produces ONE or ALL of the following: coughing, breathlessness, wheezing.
§ SUDDEN, SEVERE narrowing of the air passages may result in anAsthma Attack.
Asthma can be divided into two categories, allergic and non-allergic, although most sufferers have elements of both types.
Allergic asthma
Allergic asthma is usually found in approximately half of all sufferers and common triggers include:
· Viral infections (colds and flu)
· House dust mite
· Pollen
· Cigarette smoke
· Furry and feathered creatures
· Outdoor air pollution
· Mould
Non-allergic Asthma
Forms of non-allergic asthma triggered by factors other than allergens include:
· Laughter, Excitement , Stress,
· Exercise – asthma can occur during vigorous physical activity, manifesting itself a few minutes after participation in the activity. This affects a large percentage of sufferers and can also affect individuals who usually have no other asthma symptoms
· Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including Aspirin and Ibuprofen. Medical advice should be sought before taking/administering such drugs. A young person under the age of 16 should never be given aspirin or medicines containing ibuprofen unless prescribed by their own doctor.
· Nocturnal – symptoms manifest themselves primarily at night, usually between midnight and 8.00 a.m., particularly prevalent around 4.00 a.m.
· Adult onset – asthma that first appears in an adult over the age of 20 years, more common in females
· Occupational asthma – triggered by conditions in the workplace (but could also apply in D&T activities, food technology, textiles, reprographics etc.). The main triggers are airborne contaminants, allergens, and extremes of temperature or humidity levels
Asthma affects people in different ways and to varying degrees – there are four levels used to classify the different types:
· Mild intermittent – symptoms appear up to two days per week and two nights per month
· Mild persistent – symptoms appear more than two nights per month and more than twice per week, but not more than once in a single day
· Moderate persistent – symptoms occur every day and more than one night a week
· Severe persistent – symptoms occur continuously throughout the day and frequently at night.
Prevention
The school is aware that many factors provoke narrowing of the air passages. Some of these factorsare avoidablewithin the school environment; therefore appropriate steps will be taken to avoid asthmatics coming into contact with them wherever possible.
Asthma Medication
Treatment comes in two main forms
§ reliever inhalers (usually blue) and preventer inhalers (usually brown)
§ only BLUE inhalers need to be used in school
§ On residential school visits, or extended day trips, they may require other types of medication such as tablets or oral medication, generally known as ‘Preventer’ medication
§ staff are not required to administer inhalers except in an emergency as pupils are able to use their own inhalers
§ all students will have immediate access to reliever medicines. Pupils are required to carry an inhaler at all times and bring a spare one into school to use if they should forget/lose or run out of their own
Reliever Inhalers
‘Relievers’ are medication that can be taken immediately upon the onset of an attack. The medication quickly relaxes the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways, allowing the airways to open wider, thus making it easier for the young person to breathe. Remember: relievers do NOT always work.
Relievers are essential medication for treating asthma attacks.
All young people must have a reliever inhaler that they can use reliably and effectively.
Relievers are very safe and effective, with very few side effects. Some young people do get an increased heart rate and, if they are using the inhaler a lot, may feel shaky. Young people cannot overdose on reliever medication and any side effects will subside quickly.
Reliever Medication in School
It is important to remember that asthma attacks can be unpredictable and can happen at almost any time therefore young people suffering from asthma need to have their inhaler with them, or close at hand, at all times; a spare should also be available.
All young people will have unrestricted access to their inhalers at all times (not locked in drawers or cupboards) and will not be required to ask permission to use their inhaler.
Relievers must be taken to all PE lessons, swimming or other activities where there are likely to be triggers. If lessons are taking place on a sports field, then inhalers will be left with the teacher in a container.
Each inhaler must be marked with the name of the young person to whom it has been prescribed. Expiry dates will be checked on a six monthly basis.
The Parent/guardian will be informed if their child is taking their reliever more often than usual.
It is not harmful for a young person without asthma to try another pupil’s reliever inhaler. If they take a lot of inhaler they may experience an increased heart rate or tremor and be a little shaky, but this will soon pass and there are no known long-term adverse health effects.
Preventer Inhalers
‘Preventer’ Inhalers protect the lining of the airways; they calm the swelling in the airways and prevent them from being so sensitive. Taking preventer medicines can reduce the likelihood, and severity, of a reaction if they come into contact with an asthma trigger. Not all asthma sufferers require a preventer inhaler, it is generally those who are using their reliever inhalers three or more times per week who are prescribed such medication.
Preventer inhalers reduce the risk of severe attacks.
Preventer inhalers are usually brown, orange, red or white.
The protective effect of preventer medicines builds up over time therefore preventers need to be taken every day (usually morning and evening), even if the young person appears well.
At School
Normally, young people should not need to take preventer inhalers during school hours. However, during some off-site and residential visits it will be necessary for the young person to take this medication to ensure continuity.
Spacer Devices (aka volumatics)
A spacer is a plastic or metal container with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the aerosol inhaler at the other. Spacers help deliver the medication to the lungs and make inhalers easier to use. They are especially important during an asthma attack as the spacer will ensure that the whole puff from the inhaler is inhaled straight into the lungs. If required staff will be trained in the use of spacers by a healthcare professional.
Steroids
A short course of steroids may occasionally be prescribed to treat a young person’s asthma following an asthma attack. Some young people may be prescribed steroids if they are feeling very wheezy and are taking their preventer inhaler more than normal. Steroid treatment usually lasts for 3 – 5 days. It is rare for these to be taken during the school day.
Nebulisers
A nebuliser is a machine that creates a mist of medicine that is breathed through either a mask or mouthpiece. They are often used to administer a high dose of medication in an emergency situation. These are not usually needed in school but they may be needed in an emergency situation.
If a nebuliser is required in school, or on school visits then staff will be trained in the use of the equipment by a healthcare professional. The parent/guardian will be responsible for ensuring that the necessary medication is in school and a nominated member of staff, as with spare inhalers, should regularly check the expiry dates
Support for Pupils in school
It is the responsibility of parents or carers to notify school if their child has asthma. At the beginning of each school year or when a child joins the school parents/carers will be asked to complete an enrolment form which includes medical conditions and the treatment details for their child. This will be accessible by staff at all times. The school works in partnership with the School Nurse Team to ensure that appropriate care and support is provided for each student with asthma.
Responsibilities
Governors will:
Ensure the health and safety of all staff and anyone else either on the premises or taking part in school activities (this includes pupils). This responsibility extends to those staff and others leading activities taking place off site, such as visits, outings or field trips.
Ensure that an appropriate asthma policy is in place and effectively monitored and regularly updated.
Provide indemnity for teachers who volunteer to administer medicine to pupils with asthma who need help.
The Head teacher will:
Ensure that an asthma policy is implemented, maintained, monitored and reviewed regularly.
Assess and facilitate the training needs of all staff.
Ensure that all staff know and understand the policy especially new staff and those on supply.
Delegate a member of staff to check the expiry date of spare reliever inhalers and maintain the school asthma register.
School staff will:
Know and understand the management of Asthma in school.
Know which pupils have asthma and know what to do in an asthma attack.
Allow pupils with asthma immediate access to their reliever inhaler
Tell parents/carers if their child has had an asthma attack or if their child is using more reliever inhaler than they usually would.
ensure pupils have their asthma medicines with them when they go on a school trip or out of the classroom.
Ensure pupils who have been unwell catch up on missed school work.
Be aware that a pupil may be tired because of night-time symptoms.
Keep an eye out for pupils with asthma experiencing bullying
Liaise with parents/carers and appropriate staff if a child is falling behind with their work because of their asthma.
PE teachers will:
Have an understanding of asthma and the impact it can have on pupils. Pupils with asthma should not be forced to take part in activities if they feel unwell.
Ensure that pupils are not excluded from activities that they wish to take part in if their asthma is well controlled.
Ensure pupils have their reliever inhaler with them during activity or exercise and are allowed to take it when needed.
Allow pupils who develop symptoms during PE, to stop, take their reliever inhaler and as soon as they feel better allow them to return to activity.
Remind pupils with asthma whose symptoms are triggered by exercise to use their reliever inhaler immediately before warming up.
Ensure pupils with asthma always warm up and down thoroughly.
Pupils will:
Treat other pupils with and without asthma equally.
Let any pupil having an asthma attack take their reliever inhaler (usually blue) and ensure a
member of staff is called.
Tell their parents/carers, teacher or PE teacher when they are not feeling well.
Ensure they know how to take their own medicines and how to gain access to their medicine in an emergency
Parents/carers will:
Inform the school if their child has asthma.
Ensure the school has a complete and up-to-date school asthma card for their child inform the school about the medicines their child requires during school hours inform the school of any medicines the child requires while taking part in visits, outings or field trips and other out-of-school activities such as school team sports
Inform the school about any changes to their child’s medicines,or their child’s asthma (for example, if their symptoms are getting worse or they are sleeping badly due to their asthma).
Ensure their child’s reliever inhaler (and spacer where relevant) is in date, is labelled with their name and that a spare is provided to be kept in the school.
Keep their child at home if they are not well enough to attend school and ensure their child catches up on any school work they have missed.
Ensure their child has regular asthma reviews with their doctor or asthma nurse (every six to 12 months)
Individual Health Care Plans (HCP)
Every young person diagnosed with long-term asthma will have a written Individual Health Care Plan. The School, GP or asthma nurse and the pupil’s parent/guardian should discuss and complete the Plan. The Plan will include information to assist the young person in keeping their asthma symptoms under control
A copy of the HCP will be kept in school and will be available to all relevant staff in the school on a need to know basis. A copy will go with the visit leader on off-site or residential visits.
Health Care Plans will be reviewed at least annually, but more often if there are any changes to symptoms, triggers or medication.
Parents of young people with asthma will be asked to complete a School Asthma Card; this will help develop and maintain a central asthma register and provide written information about each young person with asthma.
Asthma can affect attendance and punctuality for some students. Others may experience night time symptoms, disturbing sleep, leaving them feeling very tired thereby making concentration difficult.