Pediatric Asthma Treatment Programs
There are two programs that children with asthma can enter at National Jewish Health to receive treatment based on the severity of their asthma and the level of difficulty in managing their disease: The Pediatric Outpatient Clinic and the Pediatric Day Program.
Listen: Kids and asthma (mp3).
Pediatric Outpatient Clinic
The Pediatric Outpatient Clinic at National Jewish Health is designed to provide patients and their families a multi-disciplinary approach to managing their child's illness. Our faculty includes physicians who are specially trained in pediatric asthma and allergy, as well as immunology, pulmonology, rheumatology and psychiatry.
Length of Stay
The anticipated length of treatment varies from patient to patient, and depends on whether the child is considered a local or non-local patient.
Local Patients
For local patients, we will schedule a 1-hour, first-time evaluation appointment with the physician. For patients scheduled into the Asthma and Allergy Clinic, allergy skin testing, which lasts 45 minutes, will also be scheduled as needed. A follow-up appointment is advised to discuss test results and the response to treatment.
Non-Local Patients
For non-local patients, we will schedule a 7-day visit. Generally, this will require the patient to stay over the weekend. We will schedule three appointments with the same physician spaced out over seven days. The first appointment will last approximately 90 minutes, while the following two will last about 30 minutes each. We schedule in this manner so that the child is available for any tests or procedures necessary during their stay.
Pediatric Day Program
The Pediatric Day Program is a comprehensive program in which patients and their families participate in appointments and therapeutic activities throughout the day. It combines the intensity of an inpatient hospital stay with the cost savings of outpatient treatment. Patients and families have a "home base" where they check in each day and meet with their treatment teams. Your child's team will consist of an attending physician, a nurse, an allergy fellow or physician assistant, a psychosocial clinician, a rehabilitation therapist and possibly care providers from other disciplines such as speech, nutrition, immunology and pulmonary. This program enables staff to observe and monitor the patient throughout the day, which in turn facilitates accurate diagnosis and treatment. Having a "home base" also enables patients and families to meet other families who face the same challenges of managing an illness.
The program emphasizes education and self-care. Parents will have the opportunity to attend educational classes that pertain to their child's diagnosis. Children learn about their treatment regimens, including what triggers to avoid, medications to take, how much and when, in addition to helpful techniques they can use when they return home. We have found that this approach gives children an increased sense of independence, self-confidence, and control over their illness.
Length of Stay
Anticipated length of evaluation and treatment varies from patient to patient. The average length of stay is ten working days, but can be longer or shorter depending upon the severity of the child's illness. Within the first week, an initial evaluation will be completed and the treatment team will meet with the child to outline their goals. The patient, family and treatment team will work on achieving treatment goals and develop a home treatment plan. We will also maintain communication with the child's physician(s) at home.
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