Reducing Asthma-Associated Absenteeism at a School-Based Health Center Using Asthma Control Test (ACT) Scoring

Author

• Concetta Terry, Jacksonville State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Summer 2026

Document Type

DNP Executive Summary

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Faculty Chair

Dr. Jessica Lockhart, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, FNP-C

Preceptor

Dr. Ildiko Babka, MD

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a common chronic condition that can lead to increased school absences and lower academic performance. A needs assessment at a rural school-based health clinic identified gaps in care for students with asthma and high absenteeism rates.

Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project aimed to reduce asthma-related absences by personalizing care using Asthma Control Test (ACT) scoring.

Project Design: Using a pre- and post-intervention design, this DNP quality improvement project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework to evaluate the impact of implementing the ACT on asthma-related absenteeism in a rural school-based health center. The project targeted students aged 4-19 years with a diagnosis of asthma over a ten-week period. The students completed the standardized screening tool twice, and absenteeism rates were analyzed.

Results: Nineteen students participated in the project, and among them, 68.4% experienced fewer absences following implementation of the asthma management intervention incorporating ACT scoring.  The mean reduction in absenteeism was not statistically significant but was clinically significant. The proportion of uncontrolled asthma decreased from 35.3% to 23.5%, while the proportion of well-controlled cases increased to 76.5%, a statistically significant change.

Conclusion: Although school attendance improved, the decrease in absences was not statistically significant due to sample size. Implementation of the ACT in a school-based health center was associated with statistically significant improvement in asthma screening scores, suggesting enhanced asthma control among participants.

Recommended Citation

Terry, Concetta, "Reducing Asthma-Associated Absenteeism at a School-Based Health Center Using Asthma Control Test (ACT) Scoring" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 147.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/147