Asthma - KPSOOSH

FORMS REQUIRED BY THE SERVICE FOR ANY CHILD WITH ASTHMA:

Medical Management Plan (or Asthma Action Plan)

This document must be signed by a medical professional

This document is completed by the parent with information the parent believes the centre should know about their child’s medical condition

This is a document completed by the centre that outlines the way the centre will communicate with families about medical conditions

Asthma is a chronic health condition affecting approximately 15% of children. It is one of the most common reasons for childhood admission to the hospital. Community education and correct asthma management will assist to minimize the impact of asthma. It is generally accepted that children under the age of six do not have the skills or ability to recognize and manage their own asthma effectively. Our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service recognizes the need to educate its staff and families about asthma and to implement responsible asthma management strategies.

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

the majority of staff have current training in Asthma First Aid and routine Asthma management
at least one staff member is on duty at all times children are in attendance at the Service who holds a current ACECQA-approved Emergency Asthma Management certificate
Asthma Emergency Kits (AEKs) are accessible to staff and include in-date reliever medication
Asthma First Aid posters are on display and information is available for staff and parents
policies are Asthma Friendly

Source: Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (acecqa.gov.au)

Our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) Service has a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure the health needs of children enrolled in the service are met. This includes our responsibility to provide

a safe environment free from foreseeable harm and
adequate Supervision for children.

Staff members, including relief staff, need to be aware of children at the OSHC Service who suffer from allergies, including asthma, and know enough about asthma reactions to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. Management will ensure all staff are aware of children’s medical management plans and risk management plans.

BACKGROUND

Asthma is clinically defined as a chronic lung disease, which can be controlled but not cured. In clinical practice, asthma is defined by the presence of both excessive variation in lung function, i.e. variation in expiratory airflow that is greater than that seen in healthy children (‘variable airflow limitation’), and respiratory symptoms (e.g. wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness) that vary over time and may be present or absent at any point in time (National Asthma Council Australia, 2015, p.4).

Asthma affects approximately one in 10 Australian children and adults. It is the most common reason for childhood admission to hospital. However, with correct asthma management people with asthma need not restrict their daily activities. Community education assists in generating a better understanding of asthma within the community and minimising its impact.

Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing (particularly at night), chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, and shortness of breath, and symptoms may vary between children. It is generally accepted that children under six years of age do not have the skills and ability to recognise and manage their own asthma without adult assistance. Our OSHC Service recognises the need to educate the staff and parents/guardians about asthma and to promote responsible asthma management strategies.

Asthma causes three main changes to the airways inside the lungs, and all of these can happen together:

the thin layer of muscle within the wall of an airway can contract to make it tighter and narrower – reliever medicines work by relaxing these muscles in the airways
the inside walls of the airways can become swollen, leaving less space inside – preventer medicines work by reducing the inflammation that causes the swelling
mucus can block the inside of the airways – preventer medicines also reduce mucus.

Legislation that governs the operation of approved children’s services is based on the health, safety, and welfare of children, and requires that children be protected from hazards and harm. Our OSHC Service will ensure that there is at least one educator on duty at all times who has current approved emergency asthma management training in accordance with the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

IMPLEMENTATION

We will involve all educators, families, and children in regular discussions about medical conditions and general health and well-being throughout our curriculum. Our OSHC Service will adhere to privacy and confidentiality procedures when dealing with individual health needs. It is imperative that all educators and volunteers at our OSHC Service follow each individual child’s Medical Management Plan in the event of an incident related to a child’s specific healthcare need, allergy, or medical condition.

MANAGEMENT AND NOMINATED SUPERVISOR WILL ENSURE:

that as part of the enrolment process, all parents/guardians are asked whether their child has a medical condition and clearly document this information on the child’s enrolment record
if the answer is yes, the parents/guardians are required to provide a medical management plan signed by a registered medical practitioner prior to their child’s commencement at the Service [see the section below- In Services where a child is diagnosed with asthma]
parents are provided with a copy of the Service’s Medical Conditions Policy, Asthma Management Policy, and Administration of Medication Policy upon enrolment of their child
written consent is requested from families on the enrolment form to administer emergency asthma medication or treatment if required
at least one educator or nominated supervisor with a current accredited first aid certificate, emergency asthma management, and emergency anaphylaxis management certificate (as approved by ACECQA) is in attendance at all times education and care are provided by the Service as per Regulation 136(c)
all staff members are recommended to have completed ACECQA approved first aid training at least every 3 years and this is recorded with each staff member’s certificate held on the Service’s premises
that all staff members are aware of
any child identified with asthma enrolled in the service
the child’s individual medical management plan/action plan
symptoms and recommended first-aid procedures for asthma and
the location of the child’s asthma medication
all staff members are able to identify and minimize asthma triggers for children attending the Service where possible
upon employment at the OSHC Service, all staff will read and be aware of all medical condition policies and procedures, maintaining awareness of asthma management strategies
children with asthma are not discriminated against in any way
children with asthma can participate in all activities safely and to their full potential
Asthma Australia’s Asthma First Aid posters are displayed in key locations at the Service
that medication is administered in accordance with the Administration of Medication Policy
that in the event of a serious incident such as a severe asthma attack, notification to the regulatory authority is made within 24 hours of the incident
communication between management, educators, staff, and parents/guardians regarding the Service’s Asthma Management Policy and strategies are reviewed and discussed regularly to ensure compliance and best practice
that updated information, resources, and support for managing asthma is regularly provided for families.