Answer

Question 1

The situation presented in the case study indeed warrants the development of a case management system. This is because of the high prevalence of asthma in the area if left to parents alone, will not be effectively managed given that asthma management is resource-intensive and the children affected are from low-income families that cannot afford the asthma prescriptions filed. Notably, the case management system will enhance long-term asthma management in the area through its management programs that focus on asthma management awareness as well as offering support to the entire community (Bhaumik et al. 2013).

Question 2

The children’s health needs in the situation include effective monitoring, effective medication, and avoidance of asthma triggers. Monitoring involves paying attention to the symptoms of asthma so as to be able to detect when an asthma attack is starting thereby facilitating early intervention (Pedersen et al. 2011). Also, asthma medications are a critical component of managing asthma. The children in this situation need medications that would enhance ease in breathing by relaxing the airway muscles as well as decreasing mucus and swelling of the airways. Similarly, removing asthma triggers from the surrounding is key to reducing asthma attacks. Indeed, triggers can induce asthma attack as well as worsen the asthmatic situation (Pedersen et al. 2011). Notably, these needs are influenced by environmental, sociocultural, behavioral, biophysical, and psychological as well as health system factors. Indeed, environmental factors such as air pollution by dust from constructions in the neighborhood and pollen produced by the pollen-producing weeds in the school yard coupled with the dampness of the classrooms are all triggers to asthma. Also, sociocultural factors such as poverty have hindered effective medication of asthma. The behavioral factors such as regularity in the usage of nasal steroids and the failure by most children to use their albuterol prior to attending to the school yard have served to increase the incidence of the asthma attack (Pedersen et al. 2011). Besides, such biophysical as airway responsiveness to triggers of asthma has led to increased cases of asthma attack among the children. Moreover, symptoms’ subjective perception and coping strategies are some psychological factors that affect the children in cognitive and emotional dimensions. As depicted in the case study, the health system is frustrated with its inability to control the situation and, as such, health system factor has contributed to the prevalence of the disease (Clark, 2015).

Question 3

The desired outcome for a case management system would be to provide access to quality asthma care in the region so as to achieve successful long-term disease management (Bhaumik et al. 2013).

Question 4

In the development of the case management plan, the community would be involved through physician care conferences. This will involve primary care providers in the community (Kuo et al. 2012).

Question 5

Many of the children would require asthma specialist referrals since most of them exhibit an inadequate response to maximum guideline treatment that led to the frustration of the primary care providers. The expected outcome of these referrals is a reduction in the rate of asthma exacerbations among the referred children (Barnett, Song, & Landon, 2012). The referrals would be made on the basis of responsiveness to guideline treatment whereby children characterized by persistent symptoms despite treatment with nebulized and inhaled bronchodilators and oral glucocorticoids will be considered for referral (Barnett, Song, & Landon, 2012).

Question 6

The case management system for this population would be evaluated by assessing the community’s awareness consultation about asthma triggers and how to reduce asthma triggers as well as evaluating the rate of asthma exacerbations among participants (Woods et al. 2012). The needed data would be collected during the intake and discharge as well as during post-discharge visits. Such data would include health care utilization, symptom management, medication, and impact on daily activities. Also, a questionnaire would be given to participants to assess their awareness of asthma triggers and their control (Woods et al. 2012).