Featured Program Vignette

Imperial County Child Asthma Project

A parent, her infant son and young daughter, residents of the border town of Calexico, sit with a Community Healthcare Worker during a home visit on December 3, 2013. The purpose of the visit is designed to increase the parent’s understanding of asthma and how knowledge of this chronic condition can greatly support managing symptoms and asthma related issues.  Graciela Ruiz, the Community Healthcare Worker from a local hospital facilitating the session, works to explain the difference between controller medications versus quick-relief medications, teaches the parent how to identify triggers and talks to the parent about foods and diet as part of the method for controlling asthma symptoms. This in one example of the many families that have meaningfully benefited from asthma case management, support and medical provider treatment services through the Child Asthma Project funded by the Imperial County Children & Families First Commission and operated by El Centro Regional Medical Center in partnership with Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District.

Asthma is a chronic condition, and affects a significant number of individuals in Imperial County. The area not only has some of the highest incidences of asthma in the State of California, but the problem is further exacerbated by a disproportionate number of hospitalizations due to asthma attacks, which is particularly true for young children. For example, in 2010 the number of child asthma hospitalizations in the county was three times higher than that of the rest of California. Therefore the rationale for the Commission’s support for an asthma management and education program is clearly warranted. The program offers asthma education and case management for parents of children 0-5 years of age that have been diagnosed with asthma and/or asthma-like symptoms through home visitations.  Program staff monitors emergency room visits and pediatric hospitalizations for children at two local hospitals, as well as supporting efforts to increase standards of care by working to ensure that admitting physicians refer the families of children less than 5 years of age for asthma case management.  The Project as worked this year to incorporate a component that highlights the importance of diet and how it affects asthma by offering information relevant to nutrition and fitness to support healthy functioning.

Parents can expect support relevant to asthma education and awareness through case management services that a) defining what Asthma is and how it affect the child; b) help identify medications that are available; c) provide information on how to prepare for medical appointments and how to collaborate with medical provider in order to maximize treatment; d) coach demonstrate how to use an inhaler, neutralizer and other devices; e) show how to limit asthma triggers in the child’s environment; f) how to recognize early symptoms and what to do when they are getting worse and how to use an asthma action plan.

Since the inception of the Child Asthma Project the County has benefited from the countless hours of services provided by Community Healthcare Workers and the Registered Nurse overseeing the Project.

• The families of over 1,000 children have benefited from asthma case management
• The Project reports a significant increase in the number of parents confident in managing their child’s asthma
• More parents are using controller medications as prescribed by the treating physician
• Parents are working to limit exposure to environmental triggers and learning how diet may affect asthma
• Asthma 101 workshops, designed to increase awareness have targeted parents, early care and education providers, and personnel from other support agencies
• Treating physicians for children admitted for asthma at two local hospitals are referring a significant number of patients for asthma management
• There has been a significant increase in asthma treatment plan reviews, which has resulted in increase standards of care and more referrals for asthma case management
• Community outreach and the social marketing campaign led by the Project Coordinator RN has worked to target the community-at-large and raise awareness.

For more information please contact Aide Fulton, Child Asthma Project Coordinator RN at (760) 482-0978.

Child Asthma Project website: www.ivcap.org