Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Committee Chair
Lenora Smith
Committee Member
Debbie McCauley
Subject(s)
Asthma in children--Patients--Care, Asthma in children--Treatment, School nursing, Medical protocols
Abstract
Asthma is the most common chronic condition in children and contributes to missed school days, lower achievement, and increased healthcare use. School nurses play a vital role in coordinating care and supporting symptom management through evidence-based strategies. This quality improvement project addressed the lack of healthcare provider prepared asthma action plans, prescribed metered-dose inhalers, and peak flow meters submitted to the school nurse. The absence of completed asthma action plans impairs the identification of asthma triggers, delays appropriate asthma interventions during exacerbations, and impedes the development of individualized healthcare plans for the child with asthma. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase the use of asthma action plans, metered dose inhalers, and peak flow meters to improve asthma care in the school setting. Ten parents of children with asthma participated by submitting asthma action plans, providing metered dose inhalers, and completing pre- and post-intervention Asthma Control Tests. Results showed a significant improvement in asthma control for children ages 4-11, while results for older children were not statistically significant. Overall, the number of asthma action plans increased by nine and the number of metered dose inhalers increased by six and asthma management improved. School nurses impact this population by care coordination. Care coordinating activities include communicating with parents and healthcare providers, training unlicensed assistive personnel, and educating the school community on asthma symptoms. These findings support the important role of school nurses in enhancing asthma care and improving student health outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Roundtree, Ivory Joyce, "The implementation of a school nurse-led asthma intervention program to improve asthma care" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 159.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-dnp/159