King’s Daughters Brings Rescue Inhaler Program To The Greenup County School District
Families and educators in Greenup County can breathe easier thanks to the region’s first albuterol rescue inhaler program, a collaboration between King’s Daughters and the Greenup County School District. This program is available in all seven Greenup County school facilities and extends to two Greenup County athletic trainers employed by King’s Daughters.
Albuterol is a prescription inhalant to treat asthma and other chronic lung diseases. In an emergency situation, such as an asthma attack, staff can administer the medication as a lifesaving measure, much like they would CPR or an EpiPen. King’s Daughters is providing training to school-based clinic staff and athletic trainers on recognizing respiratory emergencies and effective inhaler administration.
“King’s Daughters is pleased to be able to assist the Greenup County School District with the albuterol rescue inhaler program,” said Jennifer McComis, director of the pulmonary service line at King’s Daughters. “As a respiratory therapist, I’ve seen the fear and helplessness experienced by these indi-viduals in respiratory distress. This program empowers staff to take action with lifesaving medication that would not otherwise be readily available.”
“When families send their children to any of our educational or extracurricular events, they are entrusting them to our care,” said Traysea Moresea, Greenup County School District superintendent. “It’s important that we, in every possible way, exceed their expectations in providing a safe and healthy environment for all. That’s why Greenup County School District is proud to partner with King’s Daughters in this initiative.”
Jennifer Trippett, a Greenup County school nurse and program lead for the district, shared why this access to rescue inhalers matters.
“More than 150 children in the United States die each year due to asthma. In most cases, that’s preventable if early intervention, such as a rescue inhaler, is available and administered,” Trippett said. “While that number may not seem astronomical compared to other disease mortality rates, losing just one student is unimaginable and unacceptable. That’s why this program is not only good—it’s vital.”
King’s Daughters pharmacist Sarah Holbrook, Pharm. D., emphasized the families’ role in keeping students healthy and safe.
“While we have this emergency supply available, this should in no way replace personal preparedness,” Holbrook said. “Ensuring your student’s inhaler is filled, not expired, and at the ready is the best way families can help school staff keep everyone safe.”
Senate Bill 127 permits schools to stock bronchodilator rescue inhalers available for students with documented asthma. Greenup County School District and Jefferson County Public Schools are among the first schools in Kentucky to implement the rescue inhaler program.
The rescue inhaler program is part of an overall quality improvement initiative focused on expansion of asthma self-management education (AS-ME) resources, treatment and prevention partnership between King’s Daughters, the Kentucky Department for Public Health Kentucky Asthma Management Program, and UK HealthCare’s Kentucky Regional Extension Center. Funding for this program is provided, in part, by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more information about outpatient asthma education services at King’s Daughters, please call 606.408.LUNG (5864).