New Hospital Asthma Program to Launch in Ontario Emergency Departments
Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Toronto – To commemorate World Asthma Day, May 1st, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is proud to announce the upcoming release of the Emergency Department Asthma Clinical Pathway.
The pathway is a standardized set of best practices that clinicians can follow when treating adult asthma patients. It also contains a checklist and discharge instructions to educate patients about their condition.
“Ontario hospitals recognize the prevalence of asthma within our community and the fact that asthma can be life-threatening,” said Hilary Short, President and CEO of the OHA.
“This pathway is based on best evidence and it will give doctors and nurses the tools they need to manage the symptoms of asthma sufferers who arrive in Ontario emergency departments.”
A 2000 Coroner’s Inquest into the death of asthma-sufferer Joshua Fleuelling prompted the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to initiate the Ontario Asthma Plan of Action. The Ministry provided funding to the OHA through the plan to develop an integrated asthma strategy for clinicians to use in Ontario emergency departments.
The OHA plans to release this pathway and supporting material to Ontario hospitals in the summer.
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease that remains the number one cause of hospital admissions in Canada. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing or coughing. Asthma affects 2.3 million Canadians over the age of four.
“Successfully managing and, in some cases, preventing chronic diseases like asthma is the key to a successful and sustainable health care system in Ontario,” Short said.
For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1325