QualityProject Home Management of Asthma in Pediatric Patients
Problem Statement
Scope of problem: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and a major cause of morbidity and health care costs nationally. Rates of child admissions for asthma are 29.5 per 10,000, more than twice that of adults (12.5 per 10,000). Under-treatment and inappropriate treatment of asthma are recognized as major contributors to asthma morbidity and mortality. National guidelines stress the need for the presentation of a complete HMPC upon patient discharge to the patient and caregiver that includes detailed instructions related to pharmacotherapy (e.g. inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled beta-agonists) and assessment of lung function, however a “complete” HMPC is rarely given to the patient/caregiver at discharge. Setting: Private periodontist's office
Aims: Pediatric patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of asthma will be prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and receive a home management plan of care (HMPC) that is a separate, stand alone document
Specific Goal:
Patient centeredness: 85% of pediatric patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of asthma will receive at or prior to discharge a HMPC that includes written information, separate and specific to the patient, on avoidance and mitigation of triggers, methods and timing of rescue actions, use of controllers, use of relievers and appointment for follow-up care.
Efficiency: 95% of patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of asthma will be prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid at or prior to discharge.