Asthma

What is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. The airways are swollen and react easily to certain things like viruses, smoke or pollen. When the swollen airways react, they get narrow and make it hard to breathe. Common asthma symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Living with Asthma
Although asthma can be a very serious illness, it can be controlled with medications, diet and changes in your environment. At Sparrow Home Care we have a nine-step process that systematically helps educate you and your caregiver to manage your disease. Of course, this process can be extended and is always individualized for each patient encounter.

Step 1:
Disease management
Medication management
Tests and treatments
Psycho/social aspects
Community resources

Step 2:
Expands your knowledge of disease management
Continues with medication teaching
Discusses activity management
Safety precautions
Discusses tests, treatment and equipment
Assists with community resources

Disease Management Programs: Asthma Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Congestive Heart Failure Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Diabetes/Type 1 or 2 with insulin Diabetes/Type 2 without insulin Heart Attack High Blood Pressure Pressure Ulcer (wound)

Quick Links: Disease Management Programs Sparrow's Mission Statement Telephone Numbers You May Need Patient Bill of Rights Problem Resolution Procedures Medicare Patient Information Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

Some content courtesy of Innovative Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (From Step by Step, Guide to Better Health)

Step 3:
Will continue to expand on the above learning opportunities and discuss psycho/social interventions and help you develop techniques to track what makes your asthma worse. Additionally, step 3 will provide nutritional and hydration (fluids) lessons to make sure they are adequate.

Additionally, Sparrow Home Care nurses will teach you positions for easier breathing, food tips, breathing exercises, respiratory medications, about metered-dose inhalers, use and care of a nebulizer, and how to properly use a peak flow meter. We will provide you with an asthma peak flow and symptom log, medication log, and assist you in the development of a personal asthma action plan.

With each continuing step of our 9-step process we set attainable goals for you to meet. We measure your awareness or the awareness of the caregiver to ensure all aspects of the goals are being met. Many times we need to step back - and that is OK, the 9-step process is easily modified. The goals are guidelines for us to follow to ensure a comprehensive approach to care. As always, your physician develops your plan of care and directs the nursing and therapy staff in modifying your plan of care to best meet your needs.

Insurance reimbursed homecare must be under the direction of your physician. Remember to ask for SPARROW HOME CARE - the best choice for home care services in mid-Michigan. Celebrating over 20 years of service.