The American Lung Association recently announced its partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to offer the Enhancing Asthma Care program to primary care providers in Wisconsin at no cost.
The Enhancing Asthma Care program has been proven successful in more than 480 clinics in 17 states. Initial results published in the May 2018 issue of Journal of Asthma revealed a significant improvement in six key indicators, include 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; and patient asthma education. Additional analysis also showed a 54% reduction in asthma-related health care costs in the first year, indicating a return on investment of almost 240%.
Other participating states include Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Montana, and Illinois.
The American Lung Association has re-engaged 25 partner clinics in a “Booster Shot Program” in 2019, to measure the sustainability of the clinic’s asthma quality improvement efforts, leading to the 2019 Innovation Award given by the Association.
Enhancing Asthma Care allows health care providers and other healthcare professionals to earn Maintenance of Certification Part 4 credits, as well as continuing medical education (CME) and continuing educational unit (CEU) credits. Clinics that successfully complete the program receive a $5,000 stipend.
“Asthma is a very common lifelong lung disease. There is no cure, but thankfully, with proper management, people with asthma can live a normal, healthy life,” said Jill Heins, National Senior Director of Health Systems Improvement and Indoor Air Quality with the American Lung Association. “Our Enhancing Asthma Care program is focused on improving the health of people with asthma starting from childhood throughout their lives.”
Dr. Steh, who has participated in the program in Illinois, said, “I gained a “better vision” for the American Lung Association and the quality support they offer to providers. I am amazed at the amount of physician, medical staff, and parent/patient educational materials they provide. I have a “better vision” for the mechanics involved in proper initial evaluation and chronic care management of our asthma patients. I have improved the assessment of severity and the level of control, increased my knowledge of treatments & medications, and increased my understanding, interpretation, and use of spirometry in these patients.”
Providers in Wisconsin that are interested in participating in the program should reach out to the American Lung Association.