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In recent years, urban centers
across the U.S. have witnessed a dramatic rise in the incidence
of asthma. San Francisco is no exception. The High-Risk Asthma Clinic
is designed to address the needs of those patients requiring hospitalization
or intensive outpatient management of their disease, the population
at greatest risk for morbidity and mortality.
The intent of the clinic is to provide an adjunct to existing primary
care or chest clinic management, and to return the patient to his/her
primary provider as soon as their disease has been stabilized. In
addition to seeing a provider with an interest in asthma, patients
meet with one of our highly trained asthma educators which consists
of Gail Herrick (Public Health Nurse), Julie McKown (Respiratory
Therapist), and Joan McNicholl (Clinical Pharmacist). They provide
intensive education in asthma pathophysiology, management strategies,
environmental control, and the use of monitoring and treatment devices.
Patients that require education alone may be independently scheduled
to see Gail.
Referring providers are given regular summaries of management plans,
rationale for therapies, and recommendations for future management.
In addition to being an asthma resource for the City and County
of San Franciso, Dr. June Lee and her staff provide educational
services to providers throughout the Community Health Network of
the Department of Public Health. Finally, the High-Risk Asthma Clinic
acts as a clearinghouse for information and resources available
to asthmatics in San Francisco.
Anyone interested in learning more about the clinic may call 415-206-8615.
The asthma clinic is currently only seeing patients by referral
from their primary care practitioner. A visit can be scheduled by
calling 415-206-8494. The person calling must specify the Adult
Asthma Clinic, and ask for an appointment in "Chest-AS".
Providers wanting additional information may call:
Gail Herrick at 415-206.8615 or email GailHerrick@sfdph.org
Dr. June Lee at 415-206.5903 or email
junebug@itsa.ucsf.edu |
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