Penrith Christian School Policy and Procedures – Prep and Early Childhood Services Page 1

Asthma Management Policy

Policy or Procedure Management

Prepared by Mrs Katrina Baines

Date prepared April 2019

Monitored by Head of Early Childhood

Review by Head of Early Childhood / Principal

Date for review April 2020

Status ACTIVE

Related Policies, Procedures, Work Instructions, Forms or Manuals

Family Communication Policy Administration of First Aid Policy Illness Policy Medical Conditions Policy Supervision Policy

Version History

Version Date Notes

1.0 23/05/2016 New format

2.0 08/04/2019

Addition of Medical Management, Risk Minimisation and Communication Plan

Addition of Long-Term Medication Form Addition of 4-Step Emergency Asthma Plan

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Table of Contents

Early Childhood Services – Asthma Management Policy ........................................................................ 1

Policy or Procedure Management .................................................................................................................. 1

Links to Standards, Regulations and Framework ..................................................................................... 3

National Quality Standards (NQS) ............................................................................................................................ 3

Education and Care Services National Regulations ........................................................................................... 3

Target Audience .............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Purpose .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Framework and Rationale .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Implementation ................................................................................................................................................... 4

Responsibilities of Management and Nominated Supervisor ........................................................................ 4

Responsibilities of Educators .................................................................................................................................... 5

Responsibilities of Families........................................................................................................................................ 5

Asthma Emergency ............................................................................................................................................. 6

Medication ............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Equipment ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Sources ................................................................................................................................................................... 7

APPENDIX 1: ASTHMA ACTION PLAN ............................................................................................................. 8

APPENDIX 2: KIDS’ FIRST AID FOR ASTHMA ............................................................................................ 10

APPENDIX 3: MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, RISK MINIMISATION AND COMMUNICATION PLAN ..... 11

APPENDIX 4: LONG TERM MEDICATION FORM ........................................................................................ 13

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Links to Standards, Regulations and Framework

National Quality Standards (NQS)

Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety

2.1.1 Wellbeing and comfort Each child’s wellbeing and comfort is provided for, including appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s needs for sleep, rest and relaxation

2.1.2 Health practices and procedures Effective illness and injury management and hygiene practices are promoted and implemented

2.2 Safety Each child is protected

2.2.1 Supervision At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard

2.2.2 Incident and emergency management

Plans to effectively manage incidents and emergencies are developed in consultation with relevant authorities, practised and implemented

Education and Care Services National Regulations

Children (Education and Care Services) National Law NSW

90 Medical Conditions Policy

90(1)(iv) Medical Conditions Communication Plan

91 Medical Conditions Policy to be provided to parents

92 Medication record

93 Administration of medication

94 Exception to authorisation requirement – anaphylaxis or asthma emergency

95 Procedure for administration of medication

96 Self-administration of medication

Target Audience

This policy applies to children, families, staff, management and visitors of PCS Prep and Early Childhood

Services.

Purpose

Asthma is a chronic health condition affecting approximately 15 percent of children. It is one of the most

common reasons for childhood admission to hospital. Community education and correct asthma

management will assist to minimise the impact of asthma. It is generally accepted, that children under the

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age of six do not have the skills or ability to recognise and manage their own asthma effectively. With this

in mind, our Centre recognises the need to educate its staff and families about asthma and to promote

responsible asthma management strategies.

Framework and Rationale

We are committed to be an Asthma Friendly Service as outlined by Asthma Australia. This means:

• the majority of staff have current training in Asthma First Aid and routine management, conducted or

approved by the local Asthma Foundation

• at least one staff member on duty, at any time, holds a current certificate for ACECQA with approved

competency assessed Emergency Asthma Management training

• Asthma Emergency Kits (AEKs) are accessible to staff and include in-date reliever medication, single

person use spacers with masks for under five- year- olds

• Asthma First Aid posters are on display, and information is available for staff and parents

• Policies are Asthma Friendly

Implementation

Responsibilities of Management and Nominated Supervisor

The Nominated Supervisor will ensure:

• that all staff members have completed First Aid and Emergency Asthma Management training

approved by the Education and Care Services National Regulations at least every three years, and is

recorded and held, with each staff members’ certificate, on the Service’s premises

• that all staff are aware of the symptoms of an asthma attack, the child/children with this diagnosed

medical condition in the Service and the Asthma Action Plan to be followed in the event of an

emergency

• a copy of the Medical Conditions Policy and Asthma Management Policy will be provided to a parent or

guardian of each child diagnosed with asthma at the service

• an Asthma Action Plan is provided to the families with a child diagnosed with asthma, prior to

enrolment, to be completed and signed by the child’s registered medical practitioner and returned

before enrolment commences

• they meet with the families to complete a Medical Management, Risk Minimisation and Communication

Plan, and Long-Term Medication Form for asthma medication

• children diagnosed with asthma have their prescribed medication on site at all times – without these,

the child must not attend

• that Asthma first aid posters are displayed in key locations

• updated information, resources and support is regularly given to families for managing asthma

• review and update Medical Management, Risk Minimisation and Communication Plan every six

months, or as needed.

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Responsibilities of Educators

Educators will:

• ensure a copy of the child’s Emergency Management Plan is visible and known to staff in a Service

• follow the child’s Asthma Action Plan in the event of an asthma attack

• increase supervision of a child at risk of having an asthma attack on special occasions, such as

excursions, incursions, parties and family days

• Ensure that an Asthma Action Plan, signed by the child’s Registered Medical Practitioner, and

prescribed medications, such as a reliever, are provided by the parent/guardian for the child while at

the Service each day that they attend

• ensure that the medication is stored in a location that is known to all staff, including relief staff, is

easily accessible to adults (not locked away), is inaccessible to children and away from direct sources

of heat

• regularly check and record the medication expiry date and request new medication from families when

needed

• Provide information to the Service community about resources and support for managing asthma in

children.

Responsibilities of Families

Families will:

• inform staff at the children’s Service, either on enrolment or on diagnosis, of their child’s

asthma/medical condition

• provide staff with an Asthma Action Plan signed by a registered medical practitioner, giving written

consent to use the prescribed medication in line with this Action Plan

• complete, with the Nominated Supervisor, a Medical Management, Risk Minimisation and

Communication Plan

• provide reliever medication and a spacer (including a child’s face mask, if required) for all children

with asthma whilst their child is attending the Service

• assist staff by offering information and answering any questions regarding their child’s medical

condition and the overall health of the child

• notify the staff of any changes to their child’s medical condition and provide a new Asthma Action Plan

in accordance with these changes

• review the Asthma Action Plan, as well as the Medical Management, Risk Minimisation and

Communication Plan, every six months to ensure it is up-to-date

• comply with the Service’s Policy that no child who has been prescribed medication for a diagnosed

medical condition, is permitted to attend the Service, or its programs, without that medication.

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Asthma Emergency

In the event that a child suffers from an asthma emergency, the Service and staff will:

• Follow the child’s Asthma Action Plan

• If the child does not respond to steps within the Asthma Action Plan call an ambulance immediately by

dialling 000

• Continue first aid measures

• Contact the parent/guardian when practicable

• Contact the emergency contact if the parents or guardian can’t be contacted when practicable

• Notify the regulatory authority within 24 hours.

In the event of a severe asthma attack, the Ambulance service will be contacted on 000 immediately and the 4-Step Asthma Action Plan will be implemented until Ambulance officers arrive.

• Step 1: Sit the child upright – be calm and reassuring

• Step 2: Without delay, give four separate puffs of a reliever medication (blue puffer), one puff at a time

via a disposable spacer and facemask. Ask the child to breathe in and out four to five times after each

puff

• Step 3: Wait four minutes. If there is little or no improvement continue to repeat steps 2 and 3

• Step 4: If still no improvement, call an ambulance immediately on 000 and state that a child is having

an asthma attack. Continue to use steps 2 and 3 whilst waiting for the ambulance

• Medication may be administered to a child without an authorisation in the case of an emergency under

Regulation 94. If medication is administered under this Regulation, the Nominated Supervisor will

ensure that the parent of the child and emergency services are notified as soon as practicable

Medication

All prescribed medication, including medication to be kept at the Centre for long-term use, will only be administered if the medication, in the original packaging with the original label, clearly shows:

• the child’s name

• name of medication

• name of prescribing doctor

• administration instructions

• date of dispensing

• expiry date of product

• the name of the issuing pharmacist

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Equipment

The staff will send home spacers, masks, nebuliser bowl and tubing on a regular basis for cleaning of the equipment by the parent/guardian.

Sources

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2014)

Guide to the Education and Care Services National Law, and the Education and Care Services

National Regulations

Guide to the National Quality Standard

Staying Healthy in Child Care. 5th Edition

Asthma Australia – www.asthmaaustralia.org.au

Revised National Quality Standard

National Asthma Council Australia – www.nationalasthma.org.au

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APPENDIX 1: ASTHMA ACTION PLAN

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Penrith Christian School Policy and Procedures – Prep and Early Childhood Services Page 10

APPENDIX 2: KIDS’ FIRST AID FOR ASTHMA

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APPENDIX 3: MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, RISK MINIMISATION AND

COMMUNICATION PLAN

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Penrith Christian School Policy and Procedures – Prep and Early Childhood Services Page 13

APPENDIX 4: LONG TERM MEDICATION FORM