Focus on Asthma

Since there is no cure for asthma, effective management is key. The Asthma Resource Center, founded in 2000, works to improve the emergency treatment of asthma patients and ultimately to reduce the need for hospital visits and stays.

In addition, the Ethnic Health Institute has formed the Oakland/Berkeley Asthma Partnership for School-Aged Children, designed to improve asthma management and reduce environmental triggers of asthma in school-aged children through increased awareness, education, and links to resources.

2005-2007 Goals

• Improve emergency treatment of all patients with asthma
• Decrease hospitalization rates
• Decrease Emergency Department visits
• Provide outreach and education to underserved and uninsured

2005-2007 Cumulative Outcomes

1. Since the Asthma Resource Center (ARC) opened in 2001, there has been a steady decline in hospital admissions. The decline in total asthma admissions has gone from 112 in 2001 to 52 in 2007, representing a 46% decrease. Admissions among the target population of self‐pay and uninsured has decreased from 43 to 18, a 42% decrease.
2. Revisits to the emergency department among the target population decreased from 105 to 46 (44% decrease).
3. The accumulated data base has become increasingly valuable, as it allows ARC to review the history of a patient’s visits and individualize follow-up.
4. Phone contacts and phone education have increased over the years. Individuals who have been to the resource center can call for education and/or advice.
5. The most difficult challenge continues to be contacting patients who have no phone or have not provided accurate information.