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OUR WORK: How we have tackled the problem

Open Airways first identified the size of the problem and then sought advice from overseas consultants who helped the charity to have a clear vision for the future.
Open Airways believes in partnerships, while the charity organizes and sponsors the training of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacist it does not pay their salaries (see exception - school nurse 3 year project) or provide premises.
Open Airways gets out into the community looking for those suffering with breathing difficulties rather than sit in offices.
Open Airways believes buildings do not make people better, people do!
Open Airways provides all necessary equipment to ensure everyone has only the very best equipment for effective care.
Open Airways provides booklets, leaflets, posters and magnets with up to date information.

Open Airways has a proven track record….
We are professional, efficient, hard working, honest, passionate and determined to make a difference.

Educating the individual patient.

Open Airways nurses offer education to people of all ages who suffer with asthma, emphysema and other chronic respiratory diseases either in an established medical facility or in their own home or offices.

Educating the community

The Open Airways team give countless talks, workshops and seminars to any group reaching out for help and advice from church and social clubs, the fire service, the Seniors Learning Group, foster parents, parent groups, domestic staff in hospitals and hotels and corporate and office workplace Lunch and Learn workshops are very popular.
We never miss an opportunity to spread the word at health fairs, which are becoming increasingly popular around the island.
Open Airways holds an Asthma Fair at King Edward Memorial Hospital on World asthma day each year.
The media are very willing to help us educate the community through newspaper articles, TV and radio interviews and advertisements.
Open Airways fought hard to get smoking banned in public places this successfully became law in 2006. Over 200 smokers have attended one-day smoking cessation workshops given by a renouned international facilitator.

Island-wide school asthma education

Open Airways identified the need for a well-organized island-wide school asthma education program. Working closely with the Department of Health Open Airways agreed to cover the cost of the salary for a specially trained nurse to set up and run the program for 3 years and hope that the Department of Health will then take over the funding. (Approximately 1 in 5 children suffer with asthma in Bermuda – this is one of the highest rates in the world.)

Educating health care professionals

13 International College Accredited Respiratory asthma diploma courses have been held in Bermuda more than 240 physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists.
Since 2004 3 International College accredited COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) diploma courses have been held, 38 physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists have graduated.
One-day workshops on asthma, COPD, spirometry (lung function testing) and smoking cessation workshops are held several times a year for doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists; over 650 have attended since 1997.
Workshops specifically for school nurses, private duty nurses, home care nursing aids have also been held regularly.
Review days are held annually to keep health care professionals up to date with changing ideas, new medications and international guidelines.
In service training is given to departments at KEMH, MAWI, The Department of Health and the prisons.

Providing basic necessary equipment to those in need

Pillows for Prevention- a highly successful project where we hold lively, interactive assemblies in pre-schools and primary schools and then give each child suffering with asthma a pillow annually.
Spacers for children our school asthma nurse distributes and teaches children how to use spacer devices for use with inhalers to ensure effective delivery of the medication into the airways. We also distribute spacers to adults suffering with asthma at workshops, health fairs, and seminars and through the Department of Health clinics and doctor’s offices.
Nebulizers we have provided many elderly people suffering with emphysema with home nebulizers, for effective delivery of medication.
Oxygen Concentrators are given to anyone with terminal COPD
Peak flow meters are given to anyone needing to monitor their symptoms and hopefully be able to better manage their own treatment plan and avoid future admissions to hospital.
Providing Beds and replacing bedroom carpets for disadvantaged children whose asthma is poorly controlled.
Asthma and COPD Booklets, leaflets, magnets and posters are distributed around the island raising awareness and helping to educate the community.

We believe that little things make a BIG difference.

To see pictures of Open Airways in action in the community, click here to see the Photo Gallery >