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WIN for Asthma Program
Washington Heights/Inwood Network (WIN) for Asthma Program
Overview
Childhood asthma rates in Northern Manhattan are four times the national average. Gaps in culturally appropriate asthma care and related supports have led to significant health risks for children with asthma and compromised quality of life for their families. To address these disparities, in May 2006, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital initiated the Washington-Heights Inwood Network (WIN) for Asthma — a hospital-community partnership designed to improve outcomes for children with poorly controlled asthma.
Bilingual Community Health Workers serve as the single point of contact for families who require comprehensive asthma education, support, and multiple referrals for services such as housing, immigration, and mental health. The Community Health Workers are based at local community based organizations (CBOs), allowing them to remain anchored in the community while also maintaining a strong presence in the hospital where, during daily rounds, they connect with families who require immediate support.
The strengths of the Washington-Heights Inwood Network (WIN) for Asthma lie in an established communication and referral system that enables hospital and community partners to identify and engage families in multiple settings; to expand asthma educational opportunities for children and their parents; and to influence quality of asthma care among providers. Additionally, WIN for Asthma works directly with health providers in Northern Manhattan. Through a Provider Liaison, providers are engaged in asthma continuing education and improvement cycles using QI methodology. The goal is to impact the delivery of care and improve the overall standard of care for all children with asthma in our community.
Goals
- To decrease asthma-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and school absences in the Northern Manhattan community.
- To improve the quality of care provided to children with asthma by offering group and individualized training, and Quality Improvement (QI) services to health care providers in the northern Manhattan area.
Outreach & Accomplishments
In the last two years the Community Health Workers have enrolled more than 200 families, the majority of whom have received a thorough home environmental assessment, trigger reducing tips, asthma education, and on-going support. At follow-up, 83% of our families reduced the frequency of visits to the emergency department, 73% reduced the frequency of hospitalizations, and 83% reduced the frequency of asthma-related missed school days. During this same time period the Network trained and supported nearly 300 physicians.
On May 13th, 2008 WIN for Asthma held its first family graduation ceremony during which 45 families received awards of achievement, and program partners and staff were acknowledged for their invaluable contributions.
Special Features
- "Network of Care" program model strengthens community partnership and enables programs to help families address competing obstacles.
- Family Asthma Workers represent the community and work out of partner community-based organizations. Single point of contact (WIN for Asthma Hotline) for all hospital, provider, and community referrals.
- Collaboration with Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, the Emergency Department, and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit enables Family Asthma Workers to immediately identify, and help, families.
Populations Served
Families of children 0-18 with high-risk asthma in Washington Heights/Inwood and West Harlem, the project area extends from 130th Street to the northern tip of Manhattan and from the Hudson River to Saint Nicholas Avenue (roughly six square miles).
Contact
- WIN for Asthma Hotline
- (212) 305-2076
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Patricia J. Peretz, MPH
Program Manager
(212) 305-4065
pap9046@nyp.org
