CARE(Childhood Asthma Resources and Education)

Barton County Memorial Hospital's CARE program has two certified asthma educators (AE-C) Chelle Gardner and Nico Linsteadt.  The programs objectives are to educate, reduce school absenteeism and reduce inpatient/emergency room admission rates for children with asthma by promoting respiratory health through better prevention, detection, treatment, and education efforts.  We work with local community groups, health departments, schools and healthcare providers to mobilize community resources for a comprehensive, competent approach to controlling asthma among high-risk populations in a rural setting is a priority.  To control asthma effectively, children/families with asthma particularly those on daily medication, need an asthma action plan developed under a physicians guidance.

 The AEC's will provide one-on-one education in the hospital setting or in the home setting.  Each child/family will be evaluated for proper inhalation technique, adherence to controller medication regimen, modifications to reduce home environmental triggers, and peak flow diary results.  Each of these are measured as baseline and each follow-up, therefore allowing reevaluation of the program influence over time on self-management behaviors. 

The CARE team works in collaboration with local schools and school nurses to provide and asthma education and awareness program for student's pre K-high school integrated into the health curriculum or at student health fairs and also implements education into the classroom setting.