Breathing Easy in Maricopa County,Arizona: Empowering K-12 Schools With a Novel Nurse Coaching Model to Facilitate Implementation of a County-Wide School-Based Stock Albuterol Inhaler Program

Abstract

To reduce chronic school absenteeism and morbidity and mortality among school-aged children, the prompt administration of albuterol sulfate in schools remains vital. School-based stock inhaler programs are a practical approach to ensure equitable access to life-saving rescue medication for students. School and community partnerships can potentially strengthen program implementation and fidelity by integrating evidence-based practices into routine care. We report the findings of a novel practice facilitation model developed by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to facilitate the implementation of the Stock Inhaler for Schools Program in K-12 Schools. Three-hundred twenty-four schools participated in the program, with 153 schools reporting a stock inhaler event for a total of 1,310 events across four school years. Most events (78%) were compliant with the protocol for administering the stock inhaler to a student. These findings suggest that implementing a practice facilitation model is feasible and important for enhancing fidelity to program requirements.