mj harris/bchd/naccho presentation/january 2004 the baltimore city health department’s childhood...

MJ Harris/BCHD/NACCHO presentation/January 2004

The Baltimore City Health Department’s Childhood Asthma

ProgramPresented to: the NACCHO

MCH Emerging Issues Conference

January 22,2004


Components of the Childhood Asthma Program

Four aspects Baltimore Asthma Surveillance System Home Visiting Program Community Outreach and Education Coalition building


Two Components to be discussed Today

Baltimore Asthma Surveillance System (BASS)

Started in 2000 Analyzed data from 1993-1998 Databases used: Maryland

HSCRC/collaboration with community partners(eg.academic institutions)

Home Visiting Program Model developed and

implemented in 2001 Referral base established Methods used to promote ‘By-

in’ of new community partners Establishment of enrollment

policies procedures including Open ended enrollment


The BASS/History The original data compiled from existing

data sources Indicators included: hospitalization rates,

emergency department rates, demographics Spanned period from 1993-98 Compiled by BCHD in conjunction with

NASA, U Maryland, Johns Hopkins and others


Elements Guiding Decision for Characteristics of Dataset

Feasibility:How “do-able” is it? Uniformity Validity Non-duplication Economy How retrievable is the data? Can it be collected on an ongoing basis


Goals/Concerns/Focus of the Surveillance System

Prevalence Incidence Etiologic factors Measurement of disease severity: disease burden


What is our ultimate goal for the BASS?

To discern factors affecting in order to make an impact

To guide population and individual interventions To diminish disease burden


Home Visiting Program

Under Bureau of Child Health and Immunization/Division Maternal Child Health

Funded since FY 2000 by Title V block grant One of four components of overall program No overlap with other components



Key aspects: Individual assessments and interventionsThree separate assessment instruments utilized,

Household Asthma Screening Survey, Nursing Assessment, and Quality of life Survey

Partnering with community collaboratorsEducation, follow up



This is a service to the community Referral focuses on the child and the entire family

unit and includes all factors affecting the child’s disease process/holistic approach!

Follow up is key Links to other existing community partners are of

primary importance


Childhood Asthma Home Visiting Program Client Focus

Symptom control Medication compliance Recognition of triggers Trigger control Use of spacers and inhalers


Home Visiting Program Issues for Outcomes Measurement

Severity of disease, baseline and ongoing Symptom days and medication usage Nature of emergency department visits Scores on Quality of life instrument


Home Visiting Program/other considerations for success

Buy in’ of primary caregivers Contact with medical providers Higher ‘maintenance’ families need higher level of

intensity, very individualized approach Children not dropped from program until over age,

move from city, or unable to maintain contact


Contact Information

Mary Jo Harris, RN, MS

Coordinator Childhood Asthma Program, Baltimore City Health Department

[email protected]

410.361.9645

mj harris/bchd/naccho presentation/january 2004 the baltimore city health department’s childhood...

Documents