The first step in improving care for children with special health care needs, including asthma, is to engage patients and parents in discussions about their needs.
Next, begin to track your performance. Download the list of recommended measures and tools, such as "living with asthma," that will allow you to assess your current performance and track your gains.
To link to the evidence about effective care, many clinicians will want to review National Asthma Education Program Guidelines, developed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. NICHQ's asthma change concepts summarize the key recommendations of these guidelines, which will likely be updated in 2006.
Download the other asthma tools to help you begin the process of change. This will provide a good starting point for clinicans, parents, school based health centers and others involved in the care of patients with asthma.
