Asthma-Safe Homes: Overview for Health Care Providers

Linking patients and clients to in-home asthma services

There’s evidence that programs like Asthma-Safe Homes are effective at improving clients' asthma outcomes. The Asthma Care Program at the Department of Health Services, which previously provided in-home asthma education and trigger reduction recommendations similar to the Asthma-Safe Homes Program, reduced asthma emergency department visits by 79% and hospitalizations by 50%. It also improved client asthma outcomes at program completion, including improved asthma control test (ACT) scores (82%), greater percentage of clients with an asthma action plan (87%), and fewer missed days of work or school (78%).

Referrals

• Providers: Referrals from asthma providers are required to participate in the Asthma-Safe Homes Program. If you serve an eligible patient in Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, or Rock counties who you think would benefit from the program, please contact the Asthma-Safe Homes Program service provider in your area to make a referral.
• Asthma educators: If you provide (or have the capacity to provide) in-home asthma education services and are interested becoming an Asthma-Safe Homes Program education provider, please contact the Asthma-Safe Homes Program to learn more. You can also receive notifications of future funding opportunities.

Clinical resources

Check out the following resources on clinical asthma management:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – A professional membership association for respiratory care professionals and allied health specialists interested in cardiopulmonary care.
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Learn how to identify and avoid asthma and allergen triggers; recognize and present asthma attacks, understand medications, and help manage symptoms.
• American Association for Respiratory Care – A professional membership association for respiratory care professionals and allied health specialists interested in cardiopulmonary care.
• American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – A clinical association promoting research, advocacy, and professional and public education.
• MedlinePlus - Asthma
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health – A literature review and final guidelines report around four essential components of asthma care, namely: assessment and monitoring, patient education, control of factors contributing to asthma severity, and pharmacologic treatment. Includes the EPR 3 Guidelines on Asthma.

Questions? E-mail the Asthma-Safe Homes Program for more information or call 608-266-1112.