Congratulations to MSVF, asthma awareness champions

July 2011

The Medical Society of Virginia Foundation (MSVF) was recognized by the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) as a NACI clinical champion. This recognition only goes to five organizations that are tasked with increasing the adoption of proven approaches that improve asthma outcomes.

“I feel honored that our work this year with practices in Virginia was recognized as important enough to expand on,” said Helen Ragazzi, M.D., MSVF pediatric medical director. “I look forward to working with more practices to continue to help Virginia children ‘breathe easier’.”

As NACI clinical champions, each organization must promote and distribute the six priority messages of the guidelines implementation panel report, which are:

• Use inhaled corticosteroids to control asthma.
• Use written asthma action plans to guide patient self-management.
• Assess asthma severity at the initial visit to determine initial treatment.
• Assess and monitor asthma control and adjust treatment if needed.
• Schedule follow-up visits at periodic intervals.
• Control environmental exposures that worsen the patient’s asthma.

To qualify as a NACI clinical champion, organizations were asked to submit proposals on how they would extend their existing program’s reach and expand the distribution and use of the six messages.

The goals of the NACI clinical champions program are to: increase the adoption of the six messages by primary care providers, stimulate the integration and implementation of the messages throughout health systems via a network of informed and respected health care providers and bring about positive changes in practice behaviors consistent with the messages.

“What a wonderful tribute to the incredible work of our participating physicians,” said Beth Bortz, MSVF executive director. “As NACI clinical champions, we will continue to work on improving asthma care through the adoption of these guidelines.”