246962 Creating a Virtual Regional Asthma and Allergy School Nurse Expert Network

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 11:30 AM

Amy C. Paulson, BS, BSBA, AE-C , Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Health and Research, Consortium for Infant and Child Health (CINCH), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Lorene Alba, AE-C , American Lung Association, Washington, DC
Cheza Collier Garvin, PhD, MPH, MSW , Department of Pediatrics, Division of Community Health and Research, Consortium for Infant and Child Health (CINCH), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Cynthia Kelly, MD, FAAAAI, FAAP , Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School/Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA
Introduction: Asthma & Allergy School Nurse Expert Program (A2) learning collaborative develops champions with specific clinical and policy expertise within local school systems to improve management of asthma among school age children. A2 aims to increase the number of school nurses who are certified asthma educators in each local school system and focuses on improving asthma management through increased: staff, student, and parent education; implementation of supportive policies, procedures, and guidelines; increased school-provider communication; and, use of asthma action plans. Methods: A2 combines virtual web-based and in-person learning and collaboration to engage 20 nurses from 10 school systems to prepare, take and pass the asthma educator's exam, train peer school staff, and work with school system leaders to implement policy, systems and environmental changes. They fill the problem solver/leader/champion role critical to the support of asthma care practices. The “embedded asthma expert approach” creates a sustainable method of keeping each school system up-to-date on managing asthma and prompting ongoing community change. Results: Phase 1 Program evaluation data demonstrates a statistically significant change in intent to take the national asthma educator's exam pre (23%) and post program (92%) and a 100% pass rate. Phase 2 program results are expected to show similar outcomes among program participants as well as improvements in asthma management among school children. Retention and participation are above 50% and a significant regional effort to link emergency care with school nursing is underway as an outcome of the project.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Administration, management, leadership
Advocacy for health and health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the utility of a virtual learning community approach to implement an NHLBI Guideline compatible regional school nurse champion program. 2. Identify the key components to preparing school nurses to serve as lead mentors and champions within their school system for best practice asthma management. 3. Demonstrate the program components needed to support school nurses in taking and passing the national asthma educators examination. 4. Assess the approaches to engaging school systems in participating in a virtual learning community for asthma management. 5. Discuss the impact of the Asthma and Allergy (A2) School Nurse Expert Program on asthma management in the southeastern region of Virginia.

Keywords: Asthma, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present on the content of this program because I serve as the program director for this project and am also a certified asthma educator. I have 9 years of community asthma education intervention experience.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.