Asthma
Asthma can affect people of all ages and especially in people of color. Based on that fact, NCHS entered into an innovative program for our asthmatic children. Any child, up to the age of 18 can be enrolled in a special Asthma program that offers state-of-the-art treatment and education. Once enrolled in our Asthma program, the child has their first assessment exam and learns all about the disease process. Each child is given a small tool kit in which they carry their medication inhalers and peak flow meter, a small, hand-held device used to manage asthma by monitoring airflow and the degree of restriction in the airways. The parent and child attend several classes in which they are taught how to use the peak flow meter and to avoid certain triggers, such as pet dander, pollen, dust and tobacco exposure. The children are given an asthma action plan which alerts them to possible changes in their medication based on their peak flow meter readings. There is also the added advantage of having our asthma coordinator do a home visit. She meets with parent and child in the home settings to observe and inform the parent about any possible hidden triggers. During this visit she brings a cleaning kit and teaches the parent the most effective way to rid the house of common triggers to prevent exacerbations of the disease.
This innovative approach to asthma care has had some remarkable outcomes. We have reduced the number of asthma attacks in children in the program thus reducing the number of lost school days and lost work days for the parent. We have dramatically reduced the number of asthma related hospitalizations over the past 4 years. NCHS is very proud to be able to help our children and community and will continue this creative program for all our asthmatic patients.
For more information on asthma: http://www.medicinenet.com/asthma/article.htm