Asthma Innovation Lab

Learning innovative methods and strategies (At home 'User Experience' Methods) from a software development company driven by innovation and passion for inventing solutions to solve important customer problems.

This innovation involves the application to the healthcare setting of gained experience and knowledge of research and development approaches, more commonly used in business and specific to in-home testing.

Maria Britto, MD,
Jennifer Knopf

What does INNOVATION mean to teens? We are asking teens what the word innovation means to them in an effort to better understand our market so we know how to communicate and appeal to them. We're also developing a detailed education piece around who we are and what we do to help teens better understand the purpose of the Innovation Lab.

This branding strategy helps us to better understand how to communicate to our patients and families. We also want to help empower our patients and families and help them better understand how important their role and involvement is in the success of our research efforts.

Juli Bick

Partnering with one of the nation's most respected and best performing local exchange and wireless providers to reach customers/patients.

The Team has been utilizing text messaging to improve communication and adherence of asthma patients by reminding them of appointments and medications in a way that is more appealing and adaptive to their current lifestyles and trends. Gaining exposure to existing and innovative communication technology that would allow us to improve self-management and delivery of care.

Jennifer Knopf

Learning the practice, use, and application of segmenting customers from a major consumer-goods industry leader, based in Cincinnati, aimed at providing quality products and services to customers around the world.

The Team has learned about the world renowned customer segmentation approaches used by a local consumer products company to quickly bring products to market based on customer attributes and needs to appropriately apply customer segmentation strategies to the Asthma Innovation Lab.

Based on a qualitative research study in which they interviewed teens one-on-one, the team identified six segments of the adolescent asthma population.  Currently they are evaluating a newly designed questionnaire based on the identified segments.  The aim of the questionnaire will be to segment the population so that effective interventions can then be developed for each segment in an effort to improve the care and outcomes of adolescents with asthma at CCHMC.

Maria Britto, MD

Offsite meeting which encouraged the Asthma Innovation Lab Team to think "outside the box". The Creative Session was intervals of organized activities spurring innovative thoughts and ways to apply innovations from other industries to the healthcare industry.

The Creative Sessions have encouraged the Team to think "outside the box" in order to generate innovative thinking for the Asthma Innovation Lab.

Jennifer Knopf

Asthma patients who do not have well controlled asthma (identified by physician) and are not getting back to clinic are identified as home visit patients. Home visits are set up with the patient/family for a nurse to come and visit them home.

This intervention aims to create a better understanding of patients' needs outside the hospital (in their natural environment). It is an innovative way to care for patients and build relationships and credibility.

Anna-Liisa Vockell

Patients receive a text message reminding them of appointments and when to take medications.

Currently, this intervention is receiving a positive response from teens. The Team is working to overcome challenges with technology, but with relationship being built between CCHMC and Cincinnati Bell. There is a great potential for enhancements to this innovative method.

Janet Wimberg

Designed originally to decrease the no show rate for clinic, this innovative method of communication has enhanced relationships between the patients and care provider team.

This intervention involves reaching out to patients to enhance relationship between provider and patient in order to gain better understanding of patient's potential challenges with facing asthma, as well as create awareness and accountability on patient's side.

Janet Wimberg

Self management coaching for identified patients to empower them to better manage their asthma in everyday life. At the time of the clinic visit, a Self Management Coach works with the patient.

Self management coaching is a practice and approach to build confidence in taking control of a patient's condition. It stresses the importance of ensuring that patient's understand their condition and are empowered to manage their disease using knowledge and a devised plan of action. Self management coaching involves working with the patient to create a Personal Action Plan, teach patient about habits and behaviors that affect asthma, provide support for both patient and family to better manage the patient's asthma.

Anita Schambach,
Anna-Liisa Vockell

It has been designed to get feedback from teens in a focus-group setting; this has enabled the team to cater clinical operations and communications more effectively to relate to our target patient population. Bi-weekly meetings are held onsite at CCHMC on Tuesday evenings.

This Board has allowed engaged teens to be major influencers for decision made in the hospital. The Board acts as a launch pad for ideas generated not only in the Asthma Innovation Lab but throughout the hospital.

Janet Wimberg,
Dawn Nebrig,
Juli Bick