Asthma is a common respiratory condition affecting many children; however, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Easy Breathing, a program started in 1998, is designed to help primary care physicians appropriately and easily diagnose and treat asthma in children. Easy Breathing is an evidence-based, guidelines-adherent program that helps physicians diagnose asthma as well as navigate treatment plans based on updated guidelines.
Key Elements of Easy Breathing
- Diagnosing Asthma: Easy Breathing Survey
The Easy Breathing Survey assists clinicians in promptly recognizing asthma symptoms and diagnosing the condition. It uses four questions that focus on wheezing, nocturnal coughing, exercise-induced respiratory symptoms, and persistent cough with colds. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management. - Determining Asthma Severity: Provider Assessment
The Provider Assessment guides clinicians in determining asthma severity based on symptom frequency and other relevant factors using a four-question provider assessment. The questions address the frequency of daytime symptoms and nocturnal symptoms, exercise impairment, and school absenteeism due to asthma. Severity classification then guides treatment decisions. - Prescribing Appropriate Therapy: The Asthma Treatment Selection Guide
Easy Breathing offers a straightforward tool to help clinicians select the appropriate medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, based on asthma severity. Individualized treatment plans are essential for achieving optimal outcomes. - Developing an Asthma Treatment Plan:
Clinicians collaborate with families to create a written Asthma Treatment Plan. This plan outlines medication schedules, triggers to avoid, and emergency procedures. - Assessing Asthma Control:
Regular follow-up visits allow clinicians to assess asthma control and adjust treatment as needed. Well-controlled asthma reduces urgent care visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.
Impact on Children
- Decreased Healthcare Utilization:
Children enrolled in Easy Breathing experience fewer urgent care visits, ER visits, and hospitalizations due to asthma exacerbations. These reductions lead to improved care and sustained cost-savings.
Empowering Pediatricians
- Easy Breathing equips primary care providers with the tools and training needed to deliver better asthma care.
- Onsite and web-based training by Asthma Center staff ensures that clinicians can implement evidence-based practices.
Although asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition, it is important to ensure that children are correctly diagnosed and treated. Easy Breathing provides clinicians with an easy-to-use program that has shown increased diagnosis and appropriate treatment of asthma. Want to learn more about this program or get in touch with a member of the Easy Breathing team? Visit our website!