Improving Asthma Management in the Elementary School Setting: An Education and Self-management Pilot Project

To increase daily asthma symptom self-assessments of elementary school students using Green Means Go, an asthma education and self-assessment program, via a partnership between an elementary school and a school of nursing.

Over four months, accelerated MSN nursing students provided small group education sessions to teach students and teachers to identify asthma symptoms by Asthma Action Plan (AAP) zones and actions for each zone. To promote continuity of care between school and home, a teacher-parent communication log during yellow zone days was encouraged.

Students with asthma (n = 90), teachers (n = 12) and parents (n = 1) participated. Previously no students performed daily self-assessments and at program end, all students accurately identified symptoms, AAP zones, and action steps. A total of 789 symptom self-assessments were recorded. Teachers reported increased asthma knowledge. One parent attended an education session and one home visit was completed. No communication logs were returned.

Partnerships between elementary and nursing schools may be an effective strategy for delivery of health programs to high-risk children with chronic diseases. Self-assessment of symptoms and taking appropriate actions at school are critical components of early asthma intervention, particularly when a school nurse is not always available. Training teachers to follow a child's AAP within school policies is a critical second step. Home visits showed potential as a strategy for engaging parents.

In the current climate of school nurse shortages, management of asthma-related episodes in school can be improved with similar partnerships and programs that promote health education and self-management.