TY - JOUR
T1 - Managing respiratory emergencies at school
T2 - A county-wide stock inhaler program
AU - Lowe, Ashley A.
AU - Gerald, Joe K.
AU - Clemens, Conrad J.
AU - Stern, Debra A.
AU - Gerald, Lynn B.
N1 - Funding Information:
Program materials and supplies were funded by or graciously donated from the following foundations and program stakeholders: the Thayer Medical Corporation , the Banner University Medical Center-Tucson Campus , and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Family Foundation .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
PY - 2021/8
Y1 - 2021/8
N2 - Background: A total of 15 states allow schools to manage respiratory emergencies among multiple students by using a single albuterol inhaler (stock inhaler) paired with a disposable holding chamber. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate implementation barriers and facilitators, as well as satisfaction with a stock inhaler program across K through12 schools in Pima County, Arizona. Methods: All public, charter, private, and parochial schools were offered supplies, web-based training, and technical assistance at no cost. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework was used to evaluate program implementation. School documentation logs were reviewed, school health personnel were surveyed, and a convenience sample of health personnel were interviewed. Chi-square tests evaluated categoric outcomes and Poisson hurdle regression examined stock inhaler use by school organization type, grade levels served, and type of school health personnel employed. Results: In all, 229 schools (68%) participated, reaching 82% of students in the county. A total of 152 schools (66%) used a stock inhaler, accounting for 1038 events. The mean number of puffs administered was 2.7 (SD = 1.2) per event, and most events (79%) involved students with asthma. Although most events (83.9%) resulted in the student returning to class, 15.6% resulted in students being sent home. Only 6 events resulted in 911 calls, and 5 of these led to an ambulance transport. School health personnel reported high levels of satisfaction, and all schools renewed participation for a second year. Program costs were $156 per school. Conclusion: With technical assistance, stock inhaler programs can be feasibly implemented by schools in a wide range of settings, thereby increasing their capacity to safely manage respiratory emergencies.
AB - Background: A total of 15 states allow schools to manage respiratory emergencies among multiple students by using a single albuterol inhaler (stock inhaler) paired with a disposable holding chamber. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate implementation barriers and facilitators, as well as satisfaction with a stock inhaler program across K through12 schools in Pima County, Arizona. Methods: All public, charter, private, and parochial schools were offered supplies, web-based training, and technical assistance at no cost. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework was used to evaluate program implementation. School documentation logs were reviewed, school health personnel were surveyed, and a convenience sample of health personnel were interviewed. Chi-square tests evaluated categoric outcomes and Poisson hurdle regression examined stock inhaler use by school organization type, grade levels served, and type of school health personnel employed. Results: In all, 229 schools (68%) participated, reaching 82% of students in the county. A total of 152 schools (66%) used a stock inhaler, accounting for 1038 events. The mean number of puffs administered was 2.7 (SD = 1.2) per event, and most events (79%) involved students with asthma. Although most events (83.9%) resulted in the student returning to class, 15.6% resulted in students being sent home. Only 6 events resulted in 911 calls, and 5 of these led to an ambulance transport. School health personnel reported high levels of satisfaction, and all schools renewed participation for a second year. Program costs were $156 per school. Conclusion: With technical assistance, stock inhaler programs can be feasibly implemented by schools in a wide range of settings, thereby increasing their capacity to safely manage respiratory emergencies.
KW - Health policy
KW - albuterol
KW - asthma
KW - school nursing
KW - schools
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.01.028
DO - 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.01.028
M3 - Article
C2 - 33581200
AN - SCOPUS:85108523823
SN - 0091-6749
VL - 148
SP - 420-427.e5
JO - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
JF - Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
IS - 2
ER -