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Confluence physician tells Wenatchee board wildfire-smoke action plans halved asthma emergency visits; district readies air purifiers
Summary
Dr. Bindu Nayak told the Wenatchee School District board that a local pilot combining asthma action plans with a wildfire‑smoke action plan was associated with about 50% fewer emergency‑department visits and 71% fewer outpatient visits for children with asthma during recent smoke episodes; district leaders said they have deployed interim air purifiers and sensors while long‑term building resilience is planned.
WENATCHEE, Wash. — A Confluence Health physician briefs the Wenatchee School District board on Dec. 2, saying local use of coordinated asthma and wildfire‑smoke action plans was associated with sharply reduced health care visits among children with asthma during recent smoke episodes.
"There were 50 percent less respiratory related emergency department visits for kids with asthma who had an asthma action plan and wildfire smoke action plan compared to children with asthma who didn't have one," said Dr. Bindu Nayak, an endocrinologist and parent who said she has tracked regional emergency‑department and outpatient encounters since 2021. Nayak added that outpatient visits dropped by about 71 percent for children with an action plan.
Nayak described PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns) as the main pollutant in wildfire smoke and said smoke exposure increases asthma attacks, emergency visits and hospitalizations. She…
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