Evidenced Based Asthma Education Intervention For Adults In A Primary Care Setting Using Self Management Guidlines

Using the standard of treatment for asthma developed by the expert panel reports from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute allows a clear roadmap to patient centered control(National Heart Lung And Blood Institute, 2007). A focus on proper diagnosis and control of a patient’s asthma, using self-management tools that will allow the patient to partner with their primary care provider is crucial to successful control of this disease (Safety Net Medical Home Initiative, 2010). In order to achieve this, educational interventions on control and reduction of exacerbations was taught in a primary care practice/medical home under the direction of a Doctorate of Nursing (DNP) candidate as a Certified Asthma Educator. This educational program with a focus on self-management techniques assessed the patient’s correct use of medications, particularly of inhalers. These are documented in a planned asthma action plan that was created as a partnership with the primary provider and the patient. The pilot project was able to prove that evidence based asthma education intervention was effective to improve patient’s asthma controls and encourage patients to be active participants. Patients are now specifically scheduled for asthma visits and education. The Asthma Control Test was a good measure for patients to identify their control. The primary care practice now uses every opportunity of encounter to address education