In Clinical Settings

Overview

Current Projects of the Asthma Task Force Clinical Committee:

(1) Asthma Network Forum

The Clinical Committee holds an annual Asthma Network Forum to provide peer networking and continuing education to improve the asthma standard of care in all San Francisco clinical settings. Many of our featured speakers focus on improving knowledge of clinical management tools, as well as patient and provider communication and patient engagement in asthma management and control.

Presentations from November 2, 2018:

Update, Physiology, Interstitial Lung Disease, Cannabis, Extreme Heat and Flooding, Hunter's Shipyard Restroration, Working with Arab Population

Presentations from November 3, 2017:

Brochiectasis, Housing Security, Racism, Food Allergy, Medications, Patient Communication, Psychosocial Stress, Genetics

Presentations from September 30, 2016:

Asthma Education, Phenotypes, Management, Pulmonary Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, LGBTQ Patients, Public Housing

Presentations from October 23, 2015:

SFHP Asthma Care Program, Work-Related Asthma, Food Allergy, Air Pollution

Presentations from October 10, 2014:

Why Does Toxic Stress Matter to the Prevention and Control of Asthma?

Presentations from June 7, 2013:

Promoting Spirometry in Primary Care

(2) Asthma Clinical Care Quality Improvement

(a) Pediatric Asthma Hospitalization in San Francisco: Causal Factors Perceived by Medical Providers and Family Caregivers and Proposed Interventions

The Asthma Task Force has completed two human subjects research projects to assess the perceived causes and ways to prevent pediatric asthma hospitalizations. Research findings and recommendations are available in the linked August 2013 report.

(b) Quality Improvement of Office-Based Spirometry

The Asthma Task Force produced four-minute videos which demonstrate how to coach patients to produce a reliable office spirometry test, including how to use a spacer with an albuterol inhaler. The videos are presented with narration and summary titles in seven languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian and Tagalog; see Asthma Task Force YouTube channel. These videos may be used free-of-charge via the internet by providers at any clinical setting.

The Task Force has also supported start up costs for the San Francisco Community Primary Care Spirometry Program, based at SFGH. We are pleased to announce that our program has been chosen as one of four sites to participate in the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) Spirometry 360TM Train-the-Trainer Program, initiated at its May 3rd, 2012 continuing education conference for members of the San Francisco Community Primary Care Spirometry Program Network sponsored by SFGH Respiratory Care Services and the SFGH Division of Pulmonary Medicine. This continuing education conference represents the first step in our development as a certified Spirometry 360 provider. Contact Eula M. Lewis, RRT, CTTS , RCS Outpatient Coordinator and Program Director of S.F. Community Primary Care Spirometry Program, (email: ELewis@sfghsom.ucsf.edu; pager: (415) 327-0821; phone: (415) 206-5738) for further information.