Parkview Health system is a nonprofit health care provider in northeast Indiana, serving a population of more than 820,000. Parkview’s mission is to improve the health of the communities it serves, including urban, suburban, and rural areas that have seen increasing asthma prevalence throughout the past 17 years.
In response to rising asthma rates, the hospital developed a comprehensive Asthma Education and Management Program in 2004. This program helps children and adults who have asthma improve their ability to self-manage through support services, resources and age-appropriate education. The program is run by the hospital’s Community Nursing Program and relies on Parkview’s partnerships with local school districts, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health’s Healthy Homes Program and other social service agencies to enroll patients and deliver program services. Asthma education programs are provided to students ranging from preschool through high school.
The Emergency Department Asthma Call Back Program started as a pilot in 2009. The program identifies patients who've been to the emergency department (ED) for asthma-related issues. It also equips them with knowledge and tools to successfully navigate their disease process; manage triggers and mitigation, medications and healthcare bills; and assists with access to healthcare provider services in order for patients to manage their asthma and avoid future ED visits. The program was expanded to include both Allen County facilities in 2011. Parkview’s leadership expanded the program to the remaining four hospital locations in 2013 due to data demonstrating a steadily improving return on investment (ROI) from the ED Asthma Call Back Program. Most recently, the program was implemented at Parkview Wabash Hospital in September 2015. The program is currently funded by the generous support from our board leadership and grants received through the Indiana State Department of Health.