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Winchester Hospital Donates Asthma Equipment to Reading Public Schools
Winchester, Mass. – Winchester Hospital recently donated a pulse oximeter to the Reading Public Schools through its Community Hospital Asthma Management Program (CHAMP). Using this medical device, which fits on a person’s finger, school nurses can record the oxygen level in a student’s blood and quickly determine whether an inhaler is required, how well asthma medication has worked or if emergency measures are warranted. Pulse oximeters can also be used to assess a student’s respiratory status during other health emergencies, such as anxiety, fainting, seizures or anaphylaxis.
“We work closely with school nurses in the community who refer children to us for education,” said June Mayo, who joined fellow Winchester Hospital pediatric asthma educator Anne Russell in presenting the pulse oximeter to the Reading Public Schools. “We are pleased to provide equipment to assist with their nursing judgment and assessment skills.”
Lynn Dunn, director of nursing for the Reading Public Schools, said it’s her goal to have a pulse oximeter in each of the town’s eight public schools. She won the other two pulse oximeters owned by the district last year at a national nursing conference.
“We appreciate the generosity of Winchester Hospital,” she said, “and view them as our partner in community health care.”
CHAMP is Winchester Hospital’s free pediatric asthma program for children up to 18 years of age. This team approach to treating asthma involves the patient, their family, physician, school nurse, inpatient pediatric staff, licensed respiratory therapist and emergency department staff. The purpose of the CHAMP program is to reduce emergency room visits, asthma-related inpatient admissions and missed days from school, while improving the child’s lung function and understanding of how to control exposure to triggers and effectively manage asthma with medication.
CHAMP provides three home visits by a pediatric asthma educator; a customized asthma action plan which is also distributed to school personnel and other care providers; education regarding the correct use of inhalers, spacers, peak flow meters and nebulizers; and a diary to track asthma signs and peak flow.
For more information about CHAMP, please call the Winchester Hospital Community Health Institute at (781) 756-4700.
About Winchester Hospital’s Community Health Institute
Winchester Hospital’s Community Health Institute is committed to helping community members take responsibility for their health and well-being by offering the education and resources that change lives. Established in 1996, the Community Health Institute now offers more than 30 programs and services throughout the year with offerings in disease management, childbirth, integrative therapies, fitness, yoga, Tai Chi/Qi Gong, CPR and first aid, weight management, nurse aide training and support groups. The institute is also home to two retail services: A Caring Place, which features wigs, bras, prostheses and head coverings for women living with cancer; and the Lactation Center Boutique, which offers the highest-quality breastfeeding supplies and support. Unless otherwise indicated within the program’s description, for more information or to register, please call the Community Health Institute at (781) 756-4700 or visit www.winchesterhospital.org. |
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