A report in May 2010 showed that there has been a significant reduction in emergency room visits and hospitalizations – up to 50 percent – at the NY Presbyterian Hospital. Much effort has been undertaken to achieve this result, with a partnership forming between the Ambulatory Care Network at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the Washington Heights/Inwood community, to form the Washington-Heights Inwood Network (aptly known as WIN) for Asthma program. This spells good news for all those associated with the hospital, especially those working in the ER department like Josyann Abisaab, Assistant Attending Physician.
“The program began in May 2006 to improve outcomes for children with poorly controlled asthma by providing culturally relevant asthma education. To date, Community Health Workers have enrolled 400 families. Families who completed the one-year program reported a greater than 50 percent drop in emergency room visits, a greater than 50 percent drop in hospitalization and a 30 percent drop in school absenteeism. Caregivers also reported that they were significantly more confident in caring and controlling their child's asthma after participating in the program.” For more information on this venture, visit: http://nyp.org/news/hospital/win-asthma-program.html
