It’s a breath of fresh air for those dealing with asthma. Lee Memorial Health System is making history thanks to a new program designed specifically for asthma patients.

“We’re going to be the first accredited health asthma management program in the state,” says Alan Cunningham, System Director for Respiratory Care Services. Recently, Cardinal Health provided a grant to plant the financial seed that helped make the Asthma Health Management Program a reality.

“We felt there was a need in the area. There’s an on-going increase in the pediatric population with asthma, and the adult onset of asthma. That’s continuing to grow at an alarming rate. That’s probably one of the single largest reasons children are absent from school is because of asthma,” adds Cunningham.

Patients diagnosed with asthma will be referred to the program by their physician. Nurses and respiratory therapists will then work one on one with the patient to form an asthma action plan. “Plans that tell the patient how to treat themselves based on their symptoms, based on peak-flow monitoring. It tells them how to treat themselves daily as well as urgently,” explains Terea Summe, Coordinator of the Asthma Health Management Program.

Patients will be given a variety of tools, medications, and treatments to help them keep track of their condition and progress. “It can be quite difficult for children, especially parents of children, because they panic because they can’t get a breath in,” says Susan Torres, Director of Nursing for Neurosciences.

The program lasts 6 months and in some cases, could be extended should a patient need it. For more information, you can call 334-5440.