Respiratory Issues Complicated by Economic Disadvantage
Instructions:-
Topic: Respiratory Issues Complicated by Economic Disadvantage
A mother brings her 8-year-old child to the clinic, stating the child “just isn’t breathing right, doesn’t want to play, just lies on the couch — this happens all the time.”
The appearance of both mother and child is disheveled. The child’s wheezing can be heard across the room. When asked if the child is better at any certain time of the day, the mother responds, “It’s like this all the time and has been for the past year — we saw a doctor last year who diagnosed asthma but we don’t have any money for drugs or to come back to the clinic.”
Directions:
*****This Assignment may be submitted in a PowerPoint presentation or as an APA formatted paper
- Identify the resources currently available in your state to support this family in the care of this child, including assistance programs for costs of health care follow-up and pharmaceutical treatment agents.
- Create a communication plan for mother and child for both prescriptive and non-prescriptive drug therapies.
Utilize your textbook to answer the above questions. Research resources available in your area to assist this family.
Solution
Respiratory Issues Complicated by Economic Disadvantage
Resources for Supporting Low Income Families with Asthmatic Children
Low income families in the United States encounter difficulties in obtaining healthcare services. The issue is more problematic to families that are uninsured. For example, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a mother arrived at a clinic with a child aged 8 years. The child has a breathing problem, and does not play. There is no time of the day when the child feels better or goes out to play. Both mother and child are dishevelled and the child can be heard wheezing across the room. The child had been diagnosed with asthma the previous year, but the family had no money for the prescribed drugs or even for going back to the clinic. The asthma could not have become chronic if the family had had money to buy medicine and revisit the clinic for consultations. However, since there was no money to afford them, the child’s condition has grown seriously worse. This paper discusses how state-available resources can be used in helping an 8-year old asthma patient and her parent.
It is the duty of every nurse to find ways of relieving the pain and better the lives of all patients regardless of their financial backgrounds. However, many of the health providers have corporate responsibilities and have to produce returns on the investment of the various shareholders. The clinics can therefore not afford to offer free medical care to such patients.
Fortunately though, there are various resources in each state of the United States that are available for helping the child and her mother. In Fredericksburg, Virginia, and in the state as a whole, there are many programs that exist for helping families that have low incomes and no insurance to get appropriate medical care. Some programs ensure that the patients receive care at low costs while others provide free care services. One such resource is the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (aafa). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is an organization that offers the patients and families practical information, support, community-based services and referrals. This is done through a network of chapters (Laura, 2017).
Another organization is the American Lung Association of Virginia, which is a volunteer health organization that is devoted to saving lives, improving lung health and preventing lung diseases. The American Lung Association of Virginia is especially interested in asthma, environmental health and tobacco control. The Clean Air for Kids is a program under the Asthma Community Network, which is devoted to helping families to take control of their children’s asthma free of charge (Asthma Community Network, 2017). ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network (ACHN) is an organization that offers free healthcare to low income and uninsured individuals. It caters for only patients who do not have any health insurance and have a household income less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (Fairfax County, 2017).
The nurse can connect the parent and her child to any of the programs that may help in providing financial support and connect them with free or low-cost asthma treatment service providers. The Clean Air for Kids is a good program that can help in ensuring that the child continues to recover effectively at home and engages in healthy practices through free follow up services. The parent is also educated on how to deal with an asthmatic patient.
Since the family cannot afford any of the prescribed medicines, it is wise to refer them to the Partnership for Prescriptions Assistance, which helps the patients who qualify and do not have a coverage for prescription drugs to get the medicines that are needed. Most of the qualifying patients get the drugs free or at very low costs. Prince William Area Free Clinic can also help the child get specialty care and medication access. The organization provides support to low income families with income levels at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Another organization based in Virginia is the Mason And Partners, which provides health services to patients without insurance. It provides screening and treatment initiation for asthma and referrals for continued care (Fairfax County, 2017).
Communication Plan for Mother and Child
Healthcare providers for children in school-going age who have chronic illnesses are often more than one. It is important to develop a communication plan between the parent, the child and the healthcare providers (Gardiner & Pharm, 2006). The plan should include information about prescriptions, dosing information, over-the-counter medication and other drug therapies. The plan can help in ensuring that the child continuously adheres to the prescribed dosage and therapies without fail. Failing to understand the dosage and poor communication can constitute poor patient care. A communication plan for the mother and her child should help in ensuring improved compliance (Gardiner & Pharm, 2006).
Table 1: Communication plan for mother and child
| Time of Day | Activity – Mother | Activity – Child |
| Morning | Remind child to take morning medication. Prepare healthy food for the child | Take medication as prescribed and eat healthy. |
| Midday | Remind the child to keep inhaler on the body in case of breathing problems | Ensure to have the inhaler close by at all times |
| Evening | Remind child to join other children in playing games Prepare the child a good meal | Play games with other children to become physically active and fit |
| Bed Time | Remind child to take medication and get enough sleep | Take evening medication before going to bed and get enough sleep |
| Throughout the day | Monitor the breathing of the child and seek medical advice in case the child’s breathing does not improve | Report any inconsistencies and problems in breathing to the parent so that she can look for assistance. |
Adherence
to the dose is not an easy process. It requires proper communication between
the parent and the child. When the communication plan is formed with a mutual
agreement between the parent, the physician and the child, it becomes more
effective (Gardiner & Pharm, 2006). All parties must understand their roles
in ensuring the plan is useful in ensuring an improvement in the child’s
health. As the child grows up, she will be able to actively monitor her
medication and dosage. As new medicines are produced, new prescriptions and
dosages come up. These must also be updated in the plan from time to time. It
is the duty of the parent to stay in touch with the healthcare providers so
that they can be updated on the improvements.
References
Asthma Community Network. (2017). Clean Air for Kids. Available at http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/node/777
Fairfax County. (2017). Low Cost Healthcare Resources in Northern Virginia. Available at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/pcs/pcspdf/safety-net-contacts-revised.pdf
Gardiner, P. & Pharm, LD. (2006). Promoting Medication Adherence in Children. Am Fam Physician, 74(5), 793-798
Laura. (2017). Information and resources for Virginia’s disability community: Community Resources. Celebrating Special Children. Available at http://www.celebratingspecialchildren.org/main/community-resources/