Best Care Lung Health Program
The Best Care Lung Health Program provides comprehensive assessment, education, and ongoing support for individuals living with chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a patient-centered, evidence-based approach, the program empowers patients to better understand their condition, improve symptom control, reduce the risk of exacerbations, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Care is provided by a Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) in collaboration with the patient’s primary care physician or nurse practitioner to ensure coordinated, high-quality respiratory care.
Program Services
As part of the program, the Certified Respiratory Educator will:
- Perform pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry to assess lung function and support the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of asthma and COPD.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment, including medical and family history, smoking history, allergies, respiratory symptoms, current medications, and environmental or lifestyle factors that may affect breathing.
- Evaluate the severity and level of control of asthma or COPD and assess how the condition impacts daily activities, functional capacity, and overall quality of life.
- Provide individualized education about asthma or COPD, including disease progression, symptom recognition, trigger identification and avoidance, and strategies to prevent exacerbations.
- Review prescribed medications, assess inhaler technique, and reinforce the importance of proper medication use and adherence.
- Provide education and support related to smoking cessation (when appropriate), physical activity, healthy nutrition, breathing techniques, recommended vaccinations, travel planning, and other self-management strategies.
- Develop a personalized Asthma or COPD Action Plan to help patients recognize early signs of worsening symptoms and respond appropriately to prevent or manage flare-ups.
- Coordinate referrals to community resources, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, respiratory specialists, or other healthcare services when appropriate to support comprehensive respiratory care.
Eligibility
Services are available to AFHT patients suspected of or diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and/or asthma. You may self-refer or ask your family physician or nurse practitioner to make a referral for you.