Local Asthma Initiatives
American Lung Association
The American Lung Association of Vermont is a statewide, non-profit organization that operates a number of local programs for Vermonters who have asthma.
Asthma Saturday(tm)
Asthma Saturday is a three-hour education program designed for families with asthmatic children between the ages of seven and twelve and is provided at no cost. Adults and children learn about and discuss pediatric asthma and proper disease management through a combination of lecture and interactive learning. All participants received a free Asthma Defense Kit containing a peak flow meter, spacer, and other asthma information and tools valued at over $80.00.
Champ Camp(tm)
The American Lung Association of Vermont’s Champ Camp for Kids with Asthma is a one-week residential camp program for Vermont children between the ages of 8 and 12 suffering from moderate to severe asthma provided at no cost to families. Campers participate in daily asthma education sessions and regular camp activities such as swimming, tennis, basketball, arts and crafts, archery and more. Champ Camp also has a volunteer medical staff consisting of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and respiratory therapy students on site 24 hours a day. The volunteer medical team sees that campers are taking their medications properly and teaches them how to successfully manage their asthma while increasing their level of physical activity.
Open Airways(tm)
Open Airways is a school-based asthma education program designed for asthmatic children between the ages of eight and eleven. It consists of six forty-minute sessions incorporating a hands-on, interactive, and multi-cultural teaching approach to illustrate the lessons. Children work in small groups using role playing, storytelling, and games to learn to work as a team, and to help each other develop asthma management skills. Children are also taught how to discuss health solutions with parents and other caregivers.
Walk for Asthma
The Lung Association of Vermont sponsors an annual Asthma Walk. Family and Corporate Teams organize participation to raise awareness of asthma and collect funds to support Asthma programming in Vermont. For more information about this annual event contact the Lung Association.
For more information:
American Lung Association of Vermont, Inc.
30 Farrell Street, South Burlington, VT 05403-6196
Phone: 1-800-LUNGUSA (or 1-802-863-6817)
Fax: 802-863-6818
Website: http://www.lungusa.org/vermont
Rutland Area Asthma Initiative
Rutland Regional Medical Center Asthma Management Clinic
The Rutland District Office of the Vermont Department of Health, The Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and the members of the Rutland Area Asthma Coalition collaborated to open the Asthma Management Clinic at Rutland Regional Medical Center in October 2002. The clinic is staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week by Respiratory Therapists who will help patients and their families learn to better manage their asthma.
How the Asthma Management Clinic works
Referrals to the clinic are made by Primary Care Providers or (when a patient is having difficulty managing his or her asthma) from RRMC Emergency Department Physicians. The Respiratory Therapist schedules an appointment at a time that is convenient for the patient. At this initial appointment the patient receives a physical exam to assess breathing status. The therapist also helps the patient identify his or her specific asthma triggers and reviews the patient's medications.
Once this assessment is complete, the therapist works collaboratively with the patient and/or the patient's family to develop an individualized asthma management plan. Results of this appointment, as well as the Vermont Asthma Action Plan are then communicated to the referring or Primary Care Provider. The Clinic staff will continue to see the patient weekly, then monthly, and as needed to ensure the patient understands what to do and is able to effectively manage his or her asthma.
The Asthma Clinic Resource Center
The Clinic has established a Resource Center that includes pamphlets about asthma, videotapes, and an interactive CD-ROM program for children that shows asthma care as a game.
For more information about the Clinic and the Resource Center call 802-747-3758 or e-mail sbangley@rrmc.org.
The opening of the Asthma Management Clinic was a priority objective of the local community forum addressing asthma, held in March 2002. Other priority objectives include the development of the Resource Center and improved coordination of asthma care between medical providers, school nurses, and families.
For more information about the Rutland Area Asthma Coalition, contact the Vermont Department of Health at 802-786-5117. Or write the Vermont Department of Health, 300 Asa Bloomer Building, Rutland VT 05701.
Springfield Area Asthma Initiative
The Springfield District Asthma Committee was formed during the spring of 2002 as a response to the needs voiced by school nurses and local providers for better asthma education programs for children with asthma and their families. It was also felt that better communication was needed between school nurses, providers and families to improve asthma management.
The Asthma Committee includes representatives of the American Lung Association (ALA), Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (SVAHEC), the Respiratory Department of the Springfield Hospital, The School Nurse's Association and the Vermont Department of Health.
The Committee also works with the American Lung Association to plan and carry out the Asthma Saturday Program. The videos and equipment for the schools have been purchased and are available for local asthma education activities.
For information about asthma activities in the Springfield area call 1-802-885-8933 or contact:
Vermont Department of Health
Springfield District Office
100 Mineral Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-5778