Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Hospital

ResearchFoundation

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact accessibility@cheo.on.ca

View Our Accessibility Plan

CareersContact UsWebsite FeedbackMyChart
FR
Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Logo
Contact Us
  • Coming to CHEO
    • Accessibility
    • Amenities
    • CHEO KidCare Pharmacy
    • Health Records
    • Maps and locations
    • Parking
    • Patient safety
    • Pay your bill
    • Preparing for your stay or visit
    • Research Connection
    • Visiting hours and policies
    View our Physician directory page
    Find Your Doctor Directory
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
    • A-Z Directory
    • Core Innovation
    • Emergency care
    • IR/Cath and Sim Labs
    • Make a referral
    • Mental health
    • School
    • Surgical care
    • Virtual care
  • Resources and Support
    • A-Z resources
    • Community supports
    • Families First newsletter
    • Family and caregiver supports
    • Indigeneity - Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Social justice
    • Patient Experience
    • Transition to adult care
  • Get Involved
    • Co-op program
    • Donate
    • Family Advisory Council
    • Feedback
    • Share your voice
    • Volunteer
    • YouthNet
  • About Us
    • About CHEO
    • Careers at CHEO
    • CHEO leadership
    • For community physicians
    • For learners, students and residents
    • For pharmacists
    • Newsroom
    • Our partners
    • Privacy and confidentiality

New collaboration between CHEO, local pediatricians targets asthma wait-lists

nurse and pediatrician smile in front of respirology clinic at cheo

Regular Large X-Large
 
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email this page Email
Subscribe to Blog

Contact us

Receive Email Updates...
Email icon Back to Search
nurse and pediatrician smile in front of respirology clinic at cheo

A new CHEO-led initiative gives community pediatricians the tools to better manage childhood asthma, which helps reduce wait-lists and delivers high-quality care sooner. 

The Asthma Integrated Care Pathway was created in 2024 to address wait times for pediatric asthma, supported by a historic investment from the Ontario government. 

The pathway was an evolution of the CHEO Asthma Program that began with clinicians delivering asthma education to patients and families, as well as CHEO staff in the inpatient and emergency teams. 

As of April 2025, 11 community pediatricians completed a “boot camp” that provided asthma education and easier access to pulmonary function testing, the gold standard for diagnosing asthma in children six years of age and older.  

These community pediatricians can also now refer their patients to a formal asthma education session provided by a CHEO asthma educator.

little girl smiles at camera

Andrea Higginson, clinical nurse practitioner with CHEO’s Respirology team, said families experience a lot of anxiety around understanding asthma and how to treat it.  

Despite asthma being one of the most common chronic conditions in children and youth, parents face many challenges accessing information and treatment needed to help their child. 

CHEO gets anywhere from three to nine consultations for asthma per day from primary care providers, with higher numbers during the peak of viral season, which contributed to await-list of about 650 children as of October 2024. 

Higginson said the wait time for an initial assessment has fallen to around six months, down significantly from18 months. This has been made possible by redirecting some of the consults to pediatricians in the community and giving community pediatricians more direct access to pediatric respirology sub-specialists. 

Higginson has also helped assess some of the referred patients to further help address the wait-list.  

Community Pediatrician Dr. Kelley Zwicker, CHEO’s division chief of community pediatrics, says the boot camp has streamlined care for asthma, which is one of the most common reasons for a referral to a pediatrician. 

“We want to make sure that kids can be seen in a timelier fashion,” said Zwicker, adding that many of them don’t need to be seen at CHEO. 

Five-year-old Willa Wright was seen by Zwicker at her clinic in Manotick after a five-month wait. Her mom, Jessica, says Willa has had coughing attacks since she was an infant. 

She has taken puffers and a steroid nasal spray, but the cough lingers most of the year, worsening during viral season. The family was relieved to receive expert care that will help them find answers, just a few months after they were referred to CHEO. 

Zwicker said community pediatricians specialize in helping manage complex health issues, such as asthma, to prevent unnecessary hospital visits.  

The pathway helps ensure kids like Willa won’t need to go to the emergency room in the middle of viral season due to their asthma — one of many initiatives underway to help limit repeat visits to hospital. 

CHEO has also worked to improve its relationship with community health-care providers. Zwicker said collaboration is critical to help improve care in Ottawa and eastern Ontario, which ensures only the sickest kids are seen at CHEO. 

CHEO’s asthma program also works to limit hospital visits with ongoing education for families and holding clinics in the community closer to patients and families across the region.

Receive Email Updates...

CHEO

  • Coming to CHEO
  • Clinics, Services & Programs
  • Resources and Support
  • Get Involved
  • About Us

Contact Us

CHEO
401 Smyth Road
Ottawa ON K1H 8L1
Phone: 613-737-7600
Email Us

 

Connect with us

View our Facebook Page View our Instagram Page View our YouTube Page View our LinkedIn Page

Sign up for our newsletter

twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario logo

Copyright 2025 CHEO.

By GHD Digital
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us

Staff Portal

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.