Improving Asthma Outcomes in an Urban Pediatric Population

"The clinical activities of the intervention followed a fully specified protocol and provided education and care in three domains:~1. Asthma self-monitoring and management: Educators first reviewed the basic physiology of asthma with emphasis on its chronicity. After evaluating asthma severity and treatment history, the physician completed an individualized medical action plan (MAP) and provided any necessary device teaching.~2. Environmental modification and trigger control: After evaluation of potential environmental triggers in the home, each family was educated on their control. Each child was provided hypoallergenic bed encasings.~3. Linkages and referrals to ongoing primary care: Clinic staff stressed the importance of longitudinal asthma care by a PCP. A full report of the clinic visit was mailed to each child's PCP. In addition, the asthma educator scheduled a follow-up appointment with the PCP within 4 weeks"