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Asthma Home Visiting Implementation Toolkit
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Steps to Implementation

Once a health plan or health care organization develops the core components of the asthma home visiting program and is ready to start to implement the program it can follow these steps.

Provide training for asthma educators

Organizations need to ensure those providing asthma home visiting services receive comprehensive training on asthma-self management education. This includes training on pathophysiology of asthma, asthma triggers, assessment of asthma, medications and delivery devices, asthma action plans, and educational methods such as the teach-back. Additionally, asthma educators can be certified as an Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) by completing the Asthma Educator Specialist Examination. The Asthma-Safe Homes Program does not currently require asthma educators have this certification; however, the program does require that new asthma educators complete the American Lung Association’s preparatory course called the Asthma Educator Institute even if they don’t take the exam.

In addition to training on asthma-self management education, training regarding home visiting protocols, cultural competence, and home environmental assessment is needed. See 'Resources' for more information about available trainings.

Determine program materials, tools, and supplies

Depending on the program components that will be provided (see 'Developing core components of the program'), organizations will need to determine the materials, tools, and supplies that will be used for home visits. See below for examples for different components.

  • Asthma self-management education (AS-ME): Written materials, videos, and activities (such as use of lung models) can be effective teaching tools when providing asthma self-management education. See DHS’s Asthma Care: Your Guide to Managing Asthma, P-02168 (PDF) for an example of written material for clients.
  • Basic home environmental assessment: Use of standardized home checklists help asthma educators ensure they are conducting complete assessments for asthma triggers in client’s homes. See CDC’s Home Characteristics and Asthma Triggers: Checklist for Home Visitors (PDF) for an example assessment tool.
  • Household supplies for trigger reduction: Receiving home supplies can assist families in making household changes to reduce common asthma triggers. For example, clients who are allergic to dust mites could receive an asthma-friendly cleaning kits with instructions on use and frequency of cleaning, vacuum with HEPA-filter, and allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers. Other possible supplies include dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture levels in the home that can lead to poor indoor air quality, mold, and pests, air purifiers to improve indoor air quality, and food containers and trash cans with lids to reduce pest issues. The Asthma-Safe Homes Program provides supplies valued on average at $750 per client at no cost.

Conduct outreach with providers and potential clients

Based on the client eligibility and referral processes determined during the planning stage, health plans and health care organizations should take steps to establish streamlined referral processes. If working with providers or case managers to receive referrals, organizations should do outreach to inform them about how to make patient referrals. Consider use of referral mechanisms through electronic medical record systems when available. Ensure information about the program is provided to patients at the point of referral to increase the likelihood they will respond when contacted about enrolling in the program.

Once identified, reach out to prospective clients to enroll them in the program. Consider an outreach method that utilizes multiple communication strategies including phone calls, text messages, secure messages, mailings, and community outreach to fit the needs of the patient population.

Collect data and track results

At the start of the program, implement program evaluation to track health outcomes and patient satisfaction related to asthma home visiting services. Consider patient data and clinical measures that are already available in addition to data collected by the program. Use the results for quality improvement and to make the case for the program.

See the Appendix for Asthma-Safe Homes Program evaluation measures that could be used or adapted for data collection.

Glossary