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How Our Asthma Therapy Program Works
The SBAT Program is designed to improve access to guideline-based asthma care for children with poorly controlled asthma in a way that is fully integrated into the communities that serve these children, developed in conjunction with community partners, and brings asthma healthcare to settings where children spend the majority of their day. The program can be tailored based on local need and available resources.
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1.
The SBAT Program runs throughout the entire school year and requires annual
re-enrollment. Children who have poor asthma control (e.g. frequent in school symptoms or frequent Emergency Department use) are referred to the SBAT Program by a school nurse or a primary care physician, asthma specialist, another healthcare provider, or caregiver.
2.
The starting medication is determined by the primary care or specialist provider and varies depending on the child's asthma severity and baseline therapy. Prescriptions can be sent to pharmacies that provide delivery services for one controller medication to be delivered to the family and one to the school.
3.
Daily controller medication is then administered to the child by a school nurse or trained staff member (using a spacer for inhaled medications), at a time most convenient for the child and nurse. Each nurse has the flexibility to develop their own medication administration schedule. The nurse then documents the date and time of medication administration.
4.
Four to six weeks after starting the SBAT program, follow-up assessments with the healthcare provider may be needed for potential adjustments in therapy for children who continue to experience poor control. This can be determined using a brief screening tool administered by the school nurse.
Caregiver Information
How much does the SBAT Program cost?
NO COST TO CAREGIVERS​
There is no additional cost for caregivers to enroll their children in our SBAT Program. However, there may be a controller medication co-pay.
How to Refer a Child
If you feel that your child may benefit from our SBAT Program, you may contact your healthcare provider or school nurse.​
Healthcare Provider Information
No Cost to Providers for Our SBAT Program
There is no cost to providers to refer patients to the SBAT Program and no additional cost for caregivers to enroll their children in our SBAT Program. However, there may be a controller medication co-pay for the family.
How to Refer a Child
Referrals are based on poor symptom control: frequent quick reliever use, illness, ED visits and hospitalizations, steroid bursts, and school absences. ​If you feel that your patient may benefit from our SBAT Program, you may download the Caregiver's Guide and provide it to parent or guardian to share with their child's school nurse.​
School Nurses Information
No Cost to Schools to Implement Our SBAT Program
There is no cost for schools to implement our SBAT Program. There may be a cost to provide storage for medications and spacers and a controller medication co-pay for families. If you are interested in starting the SBAT program in your school please complete the "Contact Us" form.
How to Refer a Child
If you feel that a student may benefit from our SBAT Program, click the link below to download a Caregiver's Guide to give to the parent or guardian. If the caregiver is interested, the healthcare provider can be contacted to prescribe the appropriate controller medication.​
