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>> So, we know that you know, 25% of kids in Baltimore City
are chronically absent and the number one reason
for that absenteeism medically is asthma.
Poorly controlled asthma.
But, we also know as healthcare providers
that asthma isn't a reason to miss anything.
With the proper management and the proper adherence
to your medication, there's no reason
for you to miss a day of school.
>> Pediatric asthma really is an equity issue
because it drives a lot of health disparities.
Particularly for children of color
and particularly for poor children.
It also drives a lot of educational disparity.
So, kids who have uncontrolled asthma are much more likely
to be absent from school and then they not only have
to deal with adverse health outcomes,
but potentially adverse educational outcomes.
>> Our program BREATHE, Baltimore Realizing Equity
in Asthma Treatment in Health & Education
takes a really simple model that was developed
at the University of Rochester
and applies it right here in Baltimore City.
>> At the Rales Health Center the fact
that they can give asthma controller medicine.
So, the medicine that a kid needs everyday
to help them control their asthma in school.
That means I know that kid is getting
that medicine I prescribed on a daily basis.
They're not only getting it, but they're learning how
to take it, the importance of taking it everyday
and getting all the education along with that.
That's one less kid that I worry
about having their asthma under control.
>> Voice Over: A pediatrician works with the family
to determine if school administration
is the best way for their child
to get their controller inhaler everyday.
The doctor prescribes the inhaler
and fills out a form for the school health staff.
The inhaler gets delivered to the school
or their family picks up the medicine and drops it off.
Each day, the student comes to the nurse
who administers the inhaler,
along with some personalized education.
Once a month, the nurse uses the Asthma Control Test
and communicates back to the doctor
and family with any concerns.
>> Before I started taking medicine at the Rales Centre,
I was wheezing a lot and I had a lot of chest pain
and I had to leave outta class.
But now, they make sure I take my medicine every day
and it helped me a lot.
So, now I can play lacrosse and I can dance.
>> We were always in the ER or the urgent care center
because he wasn't on a regular regiment.
But, since he's been here about a year,
we no longer have been in the ER.
His medicine is regulated.
He's doing great, he's able to go outside,
run and play, all those type of things
that the neighborhood kids are able to do,
he can do as well.
>> There was one year I rode 30 times to the hospital
with children that had asthma attacks.
The last few years of the asthma project
I have done that zero times.
So, I definitely think we're seeing that one,
our kids are having healthier school experiences
because their asthma is better managed.
And their parents have the support to manage it better.
And then, we're also seeing that it's positively
impacting kids being in school and at school on time
because they're, they can get the support they need
for their asthma treatment here without their parents
having to pick them up, take them somewhere else
and aren't able to get 'em back to school.
>> This model really capitalizes
on the power of school nursing.
And helps nurses move their time from reactive,
treating children in asthma exacerbation to proactive,
preventing those exacerbations.
>> I play lacrosse, basketball,
I did track, I play street hockey,
I'm captain of the dance team, I just did everything.
Asthma is not going to stop me from anything.
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