Initiation of Chronic Asthma Care Regimens in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Hypothesis: Initiating chronic management treatment plans in conjunction with an asthma educational intervention in the pediatric Emergency Department (ED) with anti-inflammatory medication will result in an improvement of ED revisits (and unscheduled return visits). Chronic management intitiation in conjunction with an asthma educational intervention in the pediatric ED with anti-inflammatory medication will also result in improved Quality of Life measure. Specific aims: 1. To demonstrate that the initiation controller medication therapy in conjunction with asthma education will result in: 1. Decreased return ED visits (or unscheduled primary care physician visits) as compared to a control group over a 12 month period 2. Improved Quality of Life as measured by Bukstein's ITG Quality of Life measure. 2\. To describe the relationship of the initiation of controller medication therapy in conjunction with asthma education with well child visits, missed school/daycare days and behavioral capabilities. Objective: To determine the impact of beginning chronic asthma medication regimens after an educational intervention in the ED in pediatric patients 1-18 years of age with mild to moderate persistent asthma. Long-term goal/purpose: To demonstrate the success of a model of care that utilizes the emergency department physician to initiate National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guided chronic asthma therapy in children 1-18 years of age. This model will attempt to bridge the gap in initiation of chronic asthma therapy currently left by a failure of both emergency department and primary care physicians.