Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Dr. Jila Mirlashari

Readers

Anthie Poon

Abstract

Asthma remains a leading cause of school absenteeism, emergency room visits, and 911 calls among school-aged children in the United States. Despite clinical guidelines recommending the availability of rescue inhalers in schools, significant barriers such as limited access, inconsistent policies, and insufficient nursing staff continue to hinder effective asthma management. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project employed a scoping review to examine the implementation strategies and outcomes of stock albuterol programs across various U.S. school systems. Using the PRISMA-ScR methodology, peer-reviewed literature from 2014 to 2024 was analyzed to identify facilitators, barriers, and clinical outcomes associated with these programs.

The PRECEDE-PROCEED framework guided the assessment of policy gaps and stakeholder readiness. Findings suggest that stock albuterol programs can significantly reduce emergency interventions and school absences, particularly when supported by clear protocols, staff training, and stakeholder engagement. The results provide a foundation for improving asthma emergency preparedness and equity in school health services, particularly in underserved communities.

A qualitative analysis revealed five key themes related to asthma management in schools and the perceived need for stock albuterol programs: controlled asthma management, limitations in student self-management, insufficient access to school nurses, limited staff training, and financial challenges. These findings bring to light the systemic barriers surrounding asthma management and student safety within schools.

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