For nearly 20 years, Ascension All Saints Hospital’s Chronic Respiratory Disease Management Program has assisted uninsured and underinsured members of the community with the care they need to manage a variety of respiratory diseases at no cost.
 
The program focuses on patients with asthma, COPD, emphysema, long COVID, restrictive lung disease and other chronic respiratory conditions. Respiratory therapists provide education on respiratory disease, explain how to take medications and discuss follow up care for both patients and their caregivers. It provides specialized care to people who might otherwise not have access to or be able to afford it.
 
“We work with the patient and their primary care physician to determine the best form of treatment and we run diagnostic tests to determine our next steps,” Registered Respiratory Therapist, Diana Carroll, said. “Our program is uniquely tailored to each patient. While some patients may see their physician infrequently for short periods of time, the Chronic Respiratory Disease Management Program allows for longer, flexible appointment times, which can last two hours, when needed, and frequent follow ups to ensure patient understanding and compliance.”
 
The clinic is open three days per week and is operated by three respiratory therapists who work closely with the outpatient pharmacist and pharmacy staff. These services are provided regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
 
Patients are asked about topics such as loneliness, violence, food insecurity, housing, education and financial issues – all things that can influence a patient’s overall health and well-being. Program associates are able to connect those patients with free and reduced-cost services in their community when identified as needed.
 
In 2023, Ascension’s Chronic Respiratory Disease Management Program spent more than $92,000 on medication and served 136 patients.