Free asthma training for all Allamakee County day care providers at VMH

A free asthma seminar will be offered to all Allamakee County Day Care Providers Thursday, April 21, in the Veterans Memorial Hospital Large Conference Room. This program is beneficial for day care providers who care for asthmatic children, children with other respiratory problems or just want to learn more about respiratory care and treatments. The program is sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital and funded by the Wellmark Foundation. Jeanne Stein, R.C.P., Respiratory Care Practioner, is coordinating the program.

Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. with pizza and pop provided for all attendees. The program will then begin at 6:30 p.m. with an hour-long presentation by Dr. Todd Mahr, Pediatric Asthma Specialist. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., all attendees will experience some hands-on training and demonstrations in the following areas:

• Nebulizer training - using a nebulizer to deliver medications including how to set them up, measure and mix medications, and cleanup. Learn tips for successful delivery.

• Inhaler training - administration of medications via Metered Dose Inhalers and Dry Powder Inhalers, and how to use various spacers for delivery.

• Asthma action plans and peak flow meters

• Handwashing demonstrations and demonstrations using the black light

Any Allamakee day care provider who has a child with respiratory problems enrolled in their care, is eligible for a free nebulizer for their day care business.

Door prizes will also be given away, including an Oreck Air Purifier, a Sharper Image Air Purifier, and gift certificates for massages, as well as other items.

This program is tailored for all Allamakee County day care providers and their staff members, no matter what size their day care is. It is also beneficial for parents of asthmatic children enrolled in day care. Completion certificates will be provided at the end of the evening to all day care providers. It does not matter whether the day care is licensed or not. That is not a requirement for this program.

Pre-registration is required by April 15. Please call Jeanne Stein, R.C.P., Respiratory Care Practitioner, at Veterans Memorial Hospital, at 568-3411.