Asthma Management

If it is determined that an athlete has been diagnosed as having asthma and has a prescription for medication to treat and/or relieve asthma and its symptoms, the following policy shall be enforced. All athletes who meet the above stated criteria must have their asthma medication with them at all athletic activities (practices and contests). The athlete may have the coach or athletic trainer hold the medication during practices or games. However, in the event that an athlete does not have his/her prescription medication present, he/she will be unable to participate that day.

If during a practice or game, an athlete must self-administer his/her asthma medication more than twice, excluding prescribed pre-game inhaler usage, he/she will be medically disqualified from that game or practice. He/she will then be referred to his/her personal physician for follow-up and further evaluation. The athlete may only return to activity with written permission from his/her physician indicating that it is safe for him/her to resume athletic participation.

Athletes should present the coach or athletic trainer with the original labeled box containing the rescue inhaler. An asthma action plan should also be provided and a copy should be attached to that athlete’s emergency treatment form. Athletic trainers and/or coaches should attach a label to the rescue inhaler of each athlete who presents asthma medication. The following information should be obtained from the medication box and or inhaler and placed on the label: Athlete’s name; specific medication (ie: Albuterol, Ventolin, Proventil etc.); lot #; and expiration date. This label should be affixed to the inhaler to prevent any misidentification of an athlete’s medication.