According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8.4 percent of American children have diagnosed asthma. In a concerted effort to improve care for these pediatric patients, the American Lung Association joined forces with existing clinics across the country to launch our “Enhancing Asthma Care Program.” This nationally-recognized quality improvement partnership has since proven successful with now more than 400 clinics in 15 states. The carefully implemented framework includes technical assistance, Lung Association trainings (Asthma Educator Institute and Implementation and Interpretation of Spirometry), and other quality improvement components.

Effective…

Initial results published in the Journal of Asthma (May 2018), featuring 65 clinic locations in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, indicate a significant change via six key indicators:

• Severity rating
• Patient self-assessment, such as Asthma Control Test
• Controller medications
• Spirometry to confirm the diagnosis of asthma and ongoing management
• Written asthma action plan
• Patient asthma education

This evaluation, furthermore, shows a combined 42% reduction in asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitals (publication pending). Analysis additionally demonstrates a $1:$2.40 return on investment (publication pending).

… and Sustainable!

• The Lung Association re-engaged 25 partner clinics in a “Booster Shot Program” in 2019 to measure the sustainability of the clinic’s asthma quality improvement efforts. This Booster Shot Program received the Lung Association’s 2019 Innovation Award.

• Health Care Service Corporation has been a primary partner with the American Lung Association since 2012.

For More Information

Contact Jill Heins Nesvold, M.S., National Director of Lung Health, at: Jill.Heins@Lung.org

Tune in to learn about the benefits of this program from those who have experienced it