Modules

This program contains 12 modules of self-paced study. Upon completion of the full course nurses and Respiratory Therapists will be eligible to earn 7 continuing education credits from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Course Outline

1. Introduction
   • Facts about Asthma
   • Myths about Asthma
2. Assessment and Monitoring
   • Diagnosis and Severity of Asthma
   • Measurement of Lung Function
3. Control of Environmental Factors
   • Environmental Allergens
   • Irritants and other factors
4. Pharmacologic Management
   • Pathophysiology
   • Bronchodialator medication
   • Anti-inflammatory medication
5. Patient Education
   • Partnership with the patient
   • Inhaler and Peak Flow Meter technique

Instructions for First Time Users

To access this free course follow the steps below. Please print instructions for your reference.

1. Click on this link: www.mylearningcommunity.com
2. First time users click on the blue “Register Now” tab located on the left side of the page in the Log In box.
3. Complete the “Create a User” form to create a new account. The (*) denotes all required items.
4. Create a unique user name and password. You will need these items to access your account in the future.
5. To complete the “Group Code” field enter the two letter abbreviation for the state where you reside (i.e. FL for Florida). **If you do not reside within the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico please enter INT as your group code. **
6. To complete the “Organizational Code” field enter the letters AAFA.
7. Once the form is completed, click “Submit” located on the bottom right of the page.
8. When the Home Page appears, click on the “Student Desktop” tab at the top of the page.
   1. Select “View All Courses”
   2. Select “Asthma Management and Education”
   3. Select a module from the menu on the left
9. When you have successfully completed all 12 modules and all evaluations click on “View CE Completions” to view and print your certificate. If you are having problems retrieving your certificate please contact Technical Support at 1-888-354-6600.

Instructions for Returning Users

At any time you may exit the course and your work will automatically be saved.

1. To return to the course after logging out, go to www.mylearningcommunity.com
2. As a returning user enter your unique name and password in the blue Log In box on the left side of the page and then click “Submit.”
3. When the Home Page appears, click on the “Student Desktop” tab at the top of the page.
   1. Select “View All Courses”
   2. Select “Asthma Management and Education”
   3. Select an incomplete module from the menu on the left

Continuing Education Credits

This program has been approved for 7 CE credits by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) and 7 CRCE hours by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Respiratory Therapists who successfully complete the course must email the Educational Programs Manager with their name, license number and date of completion to be submitted to the AARC CRCE office.

For more information or assistance please contact LaSonia Landry, Educational Programs Manager, at 202-466-7643 ext. 227 or lasonia@aafa.org

This course is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Environments Division.

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The importance of establishing a patient/clinician partnership for asthma management and patient education is also emphasized. The program reflects the most current standards from the 2007National Asthma Education and Prevention Program’s (NAEPP) Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.

Program Goals

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the importance of establishing a patient/clinician partnership for asthma management and patient education.
• Discuss the importance of inflammation in the pathophysiology of asthma.
• Identify strategies to reduce exposure to environmental triggers associated with asthma.
• Identify the classifications and purpose of commonly prescribed asthma medications.
• Describe the use of peak flow and asthma symptom monitoring the development of an asthma action plan.

Program Outline

1. Introduction
2. Asthma: An Overview
3. Factors Contributing to Asthma Severity
4. Medications
5. Peak Flow Meters
6. Patient/Clinician Partnership

Program Materials

Attendees receive a peak flow meter, the NAEPP Practical Guide for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, and a program packet containing valuable resources and a copy of the program’s slide presentation for note taking.

Program Development

This program was developed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America in 1992. Since the program began, more than 9,000 health professionals have received the specialized training from nurses and respiratory therapists with extensive experience providing professional-level asthma education.

Faculty Members

The faculty consists of allied health professionals with years of expertise in pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, allergy/immunology, and pulmonology. All faculty members have received special training to teach this continuing education course.

• B. Gwen Carlton, DNP, FNP-BC, AE-C
• Kathleen Conboy-Ellis, RN, PhD, MHA, CPNP, AE-C
• Don J. Cui, PA-C, AE-C
• Maureen R. George, RN, MSN, PhD, CS, AE-C
• Margaret Lester, RN, NP, AE0C
• Carol Lilley, RN, BSN
• Jan Tippett, RN, AE-C

Continuing Education

This program has been approved for 2.4 CE credits by the Maryland Nurses Association and 2 CRCE credits by the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC).

This program is offered throughout the United States. Contact AAFA MD-Greater DC Chapter at 410-484-2054 for information on holding this workshop for your professional organization.

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Your asthma patients’ next appointment is an opportunity to discuss the switch to a safe and effective HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. The following is a guide for talking with patients about the transition, available HFA alternatives, and financial assistance programs for those patients that qualify. This discussion is also an opportunity to remind your patients about overall asthma management topics, including the proper role of quick-relief inhalers in asthma treatment.

Download this free physician leaflet in English and in Spanish/En Español. Also available is our patient brochure in English and in Spanish/En Español, or poster ( English only) for your clinic. If you would like to order bulk copies of the materials, please click here.

To Learn More, Click on a Topic Below.

• CFC to HFA Transition: Why Your Patients Should Switch Now
• About HFA Albuterol Inhalers
• Environmental Impact of CFCs
• Asthma Management
• HFA Inhaler Cost and Assistance Programs
• Order Free Patient Brochures and Posters
• Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Patient Information

AAFA is a member of the U.S. Stakeholders Group on MDI Transition

CFC to HFA Transition: Why Your Patients Should Switch Now

There are a number of reasons why now is a good time to make this transition:

• CFC-based inhalers are harmful to the environment.
• CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers will not be available after December 31, 2008.
• HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are currently available and are the same medicine as the CFC-based version.
• During this transition, manufacturers will gradually reduce their supply of CFC-based quick-relief asthma inhalers and increase supplies of HFA-based quick-relief inhalers.
• Currently, HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler manufacturers have programs for patients who need financial assistance to make the transition successfully.
• Making the transition to an HFA-based quick-relief albuterol inhaler is a good opportunity to review your patient’s overall asthma management plan with them.

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About HFA Albuterol Inhalers

HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are FDA-approved and are safe and effective alternatives to CFC quick-relief albuterol inhalers. HFA quick-relief inhalers differ from CFC inhalers, specifically in taste and spray force. For example, the sensation of the HFA spray will be less forceful than what CFC patients may be accustomed to. Additionally, HFA inhalers have specific cleaning instructions that patients can find within the information provided with the product or by asking their doctor.

Speak to your patients as soon as possible about transition to an HFA quick-relief asthma inhaler. See Currently Available HFA Inhalers.

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Environmental Impact of CFCs

CFCs are man-made hydrocarbons used for decades in products such as refrigerants, foams, solvents, fire extinguishers, and aerosol propellants. Since 1978, CFCs have been removed from almost every product because of the harmful effects CFCs have on the environment by destroying the Earth’s protective ozone layer. The transition from CFC to HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers is a necessary step to protect the environment. HFA quick-relief albuterol inhalers are as effective and safe as CFC quick-relief inhalers, but are environmentally friendly.

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Asthma Management

Quick-relief albuterol inhalers work by relaxing the muscles in the airways, but are not intended to treat asthma inflammation. If patients are using their quick-relief albuterol inhaler more than twice a week, it may be a good time to discuss ways to properly control their asthma, including the potential need for a long-term maintenance medication such as an inhaled corticosteroid.

Each visit with your patients is an opportunity to review strategies to avoid asthma triggers. It is critical that patients inform doctors immediately if they experience any problems with their HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler.

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HFA Inhaler Cost and Assistance Programs

If your patients currently have prescription drug coverage through their employer or through Medicare or Medicaid, they will need to confirm the co-pay that applies to the HFA quick-relief albuterol inhaler. If they self-pay for prescription drug coverage, the cost of HFA quick-relief asthma inhalers may be higher than what they currently pay since there are no generic versions of HFA quick-relief inhalers.

Patients in need of financial assistance should contact The Partnership for Prescription Assistance by calling 1-888-4-PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit their web site for more information.

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Order FREE Patient Brochures and Posters

Get 10 or 20 copies of our Patient Brochure and Poster (see links to PDF copies above) for your office for FREE! Click here to e-mail your request for these materials and remember to include your name, phone number and mailing address.

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Resources

Patients and physicians needing further information on making the transition to an HFA quick-relief inhaler should contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) at 1-800-7-ASTHMA.

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This workshop is appropriate for:

• Health Professionals
• Senior Center staff
• Assisted Living Center staff
• Caregivers and
• Family Members

Creation of the Toolkit and workshop materials was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through a grant provided by the Maryland Asthma Coalition.

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