This week allows us to highlight the significant contributions and personal sacrifices Navy families make with frequent moves and extended periods of separation, both unique to Navy life. By taking full advantage of community and family support programs and activities available at our installations around the world, we continue to enrich the lives of our Sailors and their families. Portsmouth's asthma clinic are breathing easier thanks to the clinic's one-step evaluation and treatment. The clinic is open every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and usually sees an average of 50 patients per month. Staffed with a respiratory therapist, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, a physician, and either an intern or resident, it offers young asthma patients an easy way to get a physical, review medications, and complete any special treatment needed in just 60 to 90 minutes.
Parents find it much easier to bring their child here and get everything done at once.
Upon check-in, the patient's vital signs are taken. The patient then undergoes a pulmonary function test to measure breathing. The NEB is a piece of equipment that contains a prescribed dosage of medication to help open a patient's bronchial tubes and facilitate breathing. The pulmonary function test results are reviewed with a nurse, and then a general assessment is taken. The general assessment consists of checking medication and vaccination plans.