Asthma is a worldwide pandemic and disproportionately affects minority communities and our most vulnerable members in society - children. We use a retrospective cohort study of a community based asthma program to evaluate the effectiveness of a best practice model at the Bridgeport Community Health Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The program is a comprehensive, aggressive clinical management strategy that involves patient education, environmental control, and ongoing patient care. The main challenge of the program is the paradigm shift from treating asthma as an acute condition to treating it as a chronic condition. This study's objectives are to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of the program, (2) assess the program's compliance with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma, and (3) assess its reproducibility. Findings of the study include an assessment of the program's impact on severity and comorbidity, reduction in utilization of acute services, and reduction in number of hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The study makes recommendations using an evidence-based model for implementing an asthma program that maximizes effectiveness and continuously improves quality of life for Latino children by improving asthma management. The evaluation of community programs that address asthma demonstrate the need to allocate resources toward a condition that is of increasing importance to the public's health.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify and prioritize the key elements of a best practice model for the treatment of pediatric asthma according to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines. 2. Recognize the challenges of developing a clinical management program for pediatric asthma in the primary care setting. 3. Apply the findings of this study to the development and evaluation of pediatric asthma programs in other urban and Latino communities.
Keywords: Asthma, Community Health Centers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Bridgeport Community Health Center, Bridgeport, CT
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.