Asthma and School: Have a Management Plan

A student's asthma management plan is developed by the student, parent/guardian, and health care provider. Depending on the student's needs, the plan may be a brief information card or a more extensive individualized health plan (IHP). A copy of the plan should be on file in the school office or health services office, with additional copies for the student's teachers and coaches. The plan -- as well as the student's asthma medications -- should be easily available for all on- and off-site activities before, during, and after school.

Asthma Management Plans should contain:

• A brief history of the student's asthma
• Asthma symptoms to watch out for
• Information on how to contact the student's health care provider, and parent or guardian
• The physician and parent or guardian's signature
• A list of factors that make the student's asthma worse
• The student's personal best peak flow reading if the student uses peak flow monitoring
• A list of the student's asthma medications
• A copy of the student's action plan, based on symptoms or peak flow readings, including recommended actions for school personnel to help handle asthma episodes.

Created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

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