Press release from Parkview Health:
EPA honors Parkview Health with National Environmental Leadership Award
(August 27, 2013) — Leaders with the Environmental Protection Agency today recognized Parkview’s Comprehensive Asthma Education and Care Navigation team with the 2013 National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management.
This award recognizes stellar asthma management programs that are using innovative approaches to improve patient health and quality of life. Parkview Health is one of only three winners of this prestigious award this year. Award winners are recognized for demonstrating that comprehensive asthma care with a strong environmental component can dramatically improve health outcomes and quality of life for people with asthma.
“Parkview is committed to improving the health of our communities that we serve each and every day,” said Sue Ehinger, president of Parkview Hospital and affiliates. “To be recognized by the EPA and its committee members shows the level of excellence our program is having in the lives of those we serve throughout our region.”
“This EPA National Environmental Leadership Award recognizes Parkview’s outstanding asthma care program — which helps asthma patients lead healthier, more active lives,” said EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman. “Parkview’s program is a national model for educating patients about actions they can take to manage asthma, a disease that affects nearly 26 million people.”
Parkview Health’s Emergency Department Asthma Call Back Program has been effective in reducing emergency department readmissions and demonstrated an impact on school and work attendance and quality of life for participants in the program. The program has also demonstrated a steadily improving return on investment – from $20 saved for every $1 invested in the baseline year to $23.75 saved per dollar invested in 2012.
“We have so many families who have medical issues that need help,” said Rachel Tobin-Smith, executive director, SCAN. “Our families have needed assistance, education and the correct items for their homes and I am not sure what would have happened without their support as our staff are not specially trained in this area. This is a great community service.”
“EPA is recognizing Parkview Health for their outstanding efforts to reduce the burden of asthma for families in their communities,” said Mike Flynn, director of EPA’s Office of Radiation and Indoor Air. “Their program is achieving positive environmental and health outcomes, and EPA applauds their innovative approaches and dedication to controlling asthma.”
For more information about EPA’s National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management, visit www.epa.gov/asthma.