What is school-based asthma therapy and how can my child participate?
School-Based Asthma Therapy (SBAT) is a program offered through Akron Children’s School Based Health Center to improve asthma symptoms in children who are at high risk for asthma complications. If your child participates in SBAT they will receive controller medication doses at twice a day at school. Patients in the SBAT program have experienced reduced emergency room visit, reduced hospital admissions as well as decreased visits to the school nurse for emergency albuterol use and improved asthma control test scores. When a child’s asthma is controlled, it helps them to stay in school learning by decreasing absences for asthma symptoms.
How will it impact my child’s school day?
Your child’s school nurse with work with your child to find a convenient time in the morning and again in the afternoon to come to the nurse’s office to take their controller medication. The School-Based Health Center Nurse Practitioner (NP) will maintain close contact with the patient and family including a SBHC visit in the fall and spring which include asthma controller test (ACT), monitor symptoms, medication use and refills as well as visits as needed throughout the school year.
How will the medication get to the school each month?
Your child’s prescription will be sent to Akron Children’s Pharmacy to be filled, the community health worker will distribute the medication to the school.
Is there any cost?
The program is free for all patients. For some patients with private insurance there may be co-pays for the medication and visits with SBHC.
