The West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program (AEPP) recognizes and applauds the hardwork, time and effort that healthcare providers from all backgrounds expend everyday to improve the lives of their patients. We are here to aid you in that battle by providing the latest standards put forth by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma Expert Panel Review 3 - 2007, for all age groups, educational materials available online and via mail for free, utilizing our partners in the collaborative group created to fight the burden of asthma known as the West Virginia Asthma Coalition, our partners in the WV Department of Health and Human Resources - Chronic Diseases Division, and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. These resources are just a click away on this site.
The success of any effort to manage asthma rests solely upon the effort and dedication of the patient with asthma in self-managing their condition. The impact of you, the healthcare provider, to convey information, teach skills, give inspiration to follow their Asthma Action Plan, and work with a health care team to make recommendations regarding treatment is paramount.
The average person only spends 0.02% of their life with their healthcare provider/physician, so, with that in mind the care of a person rests solely on the shoulders of that person, not the doctor. Your effort influences how well patients and families form a team approach with healthcare providers and how well the individual with asthma assumes the ultimate responsibility for their own well-being and self-managed care.
Clinical Activities for Providing Quality Asthma Care:
- Establish asthma diagnosis and classify severity of asthma.
- Schedule routine follow-up care: at least 1-6 months and spirometry testing at least every year.
- Assess for referral to specialy care.
- Recommend measures to control asthma.
- Treat/prevent comorbid conditions, including providing annula influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination (if needed).
- Prescribe medications according to severity, including appropriate medication delivery and monitoring devices.
- Monitor use of beta 2-agonist drugs (bronchodilators) - reevaluate patients using more than one MDI canister per month.
- Develop a written Asthma Action Plan (provide copies to the child's school).
- Provide routine maintenance on patient self-management. (Have patient bring in inhaler, other delivery devices, and monitoring devices with each visit to ensure proper use).
Click on the following links for more detailed information on asthma:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute EPR 3 - (NHLBI) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma Expert Panel Report 2007
Asthma Education Resources
NEW* List of Asthma Medications, Dosages, Usage, and NHLBI Guidelines EPR3 Referencing
Physician Asthma Care Education - NHLBI Guidelines for Physicians
For the Family
Things a family can do to get ready for an "asthma" lung doctor visit
Learn about asthma
Managing Asthma while Pregnant
Asthma Informational Pamphlets
The items under this category are available in printed color versions. Just contact the AEPP for your copies today at 304.558.0644.
Asthma in West Virginia Fact Sheet
Asthma Information for Senior West Virginians
Childhood Asthma in West Virginia Fact Sheet
SMOKING AND YOUR HEALTH - for those with Asthma and Diabetes in WV
Tobacco Use & Asthma Trifold - Know the Risks! in West Virginia
ASTHMA TRIFOLD - 2007 NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma
Asthma Trigger Banner
Self Management Banner
Continuing Educational Units Links
takeACTION! interactive program - asthma and diabetes education for school personnel in wv available online and via cd-rom. CE's available.
Asthma Education for the Healthcare Provider - CEU's and CME's available for respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians
Other Asthma Topic Links
Asthma Action Plans for Adults, Children in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese
Note: You will need Adobe Reader (PDF) to view these documents.