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.
• Perform lung spirometry testing to assess lung function, and airway reversibility using pre/post beta2-agonist testing. (to be performed at least once every two years)
• Assess for referral to specialy care.
• Recommend measures to control asthma. Instruct patient (child's family) on recognizing triggers of asthma, and signs and symptoms of an asthma episode.
• 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 beta2-agonist drugs (bronchodilators) - re-evaluate patients using more than ONE metered dosed inhaler (MDI) canister per month.
• Develop a written Asthma Action Plan (Provide copies of the Asthma Action Plan to the child's school, daycare center, caregivers, and family).
• Provide routine maintenance on patient self-management. (Have patient bring in inhaled medications - including metered dosed inhalers, dry powdered inhalers, diskus, and nebulizer; other delivery devices to include spacer and valved holding chambers; and monitoring devices such as a peak flow meter with each visit to ensure proper use and function of device).

 

Severity of Asthma changes slowly over time, Control of Asthma changes quickly!

 

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 Return-on-Investment Calculator - This is a tool for exploring the potential returns from quality improvement and disease management programs for populations diagnosed with asthma. This Asthma ROI Calculator provides estimates based on an analysis of 52 research studies on improving asthma care and what those studies imply for cost savings. 

NEW* Asthma and other Respiratory Disease Medications Defined 

NEW* Is your Asthma or COPD Medication being discontinued by the FDA? click here for more details on the inhalers that are being phased out and will no longer be available to be purchased. 

Asthma Education Resources 

List of Asthma Medications, Dosages, Usage, and NHLBI Guidelines EPR3 Referencing

Pathophysiology of Asthma Graph - an outline of the relationship between airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, airway obstruction, and asthma symptoms.

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 nice printed color versions for free. Just contact  AEPP for your copies today by calling 304.558.0644. 

Fact Sheets on Asthma in West Virginia - certain populations of people are more adversely affected by asthma in the state versus nationwide either children, women, or seniors.

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. CEs available.

Asthma Education for the Healthcare Provider - CEUs and CMEs available for respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians.

 

Health Literacy Training for Health Professionals: Free Continuing Education   Limited health literacy affects nine out of ten adults and impacts their capacity to fully manage their health. To help public health professionals respond to limited health literacy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a FREE, online training program: Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals.   

 

Other Asthma Topic Links 

Asthma Action Plan (PDF) 

 

 

Note: You will need Adobe Reader (PDF) to view these documents.