More than 60% of adults have uncontrolled asthma, experiencing frequent, severe symptoms leading to repeated Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and lost work time, resulting in increased healthcare costs. Implementing strategies for improved asthma and allergy control is crucial to address this issue.
Control encompasses two key areas: reducing impairment and reducing risk. Medication management is one strategy to maximize control. It is also a HEDIS measure for quality care. Compliance with this measure is indicated when patients between ages 5 and 64 with persistent asthma and appropriately prescribed asthma medications use the medications for at least 75% of the measured period.
Achieving positive outcomes for this key performance metric can be challenging. To maximize each encounter, focus on these key elements:
- Self-management education on triggers and medication adherence
- Regular follow-up visits for patients with persistent asthma
- Medication documentation, including the prescribed asthma controller medication and the date of the prescription
Key Points:
- Training patients on proper inhaler use, symptom monitoring, trigger control, and adherence to the plan.
- Having a written asthma action plan is an integral component of patient self-management, which guides daily care.
- Regular follow-up visits help evaluate the plan’s effectiveness and the patient’s adherence. Focus these encounters on patient questions or concerns, assessment of control (inhaler technique, symptoms, flare-ups, use of the action plan), and adherence to the plan, making changes as necessary based on the patient’s status.
Referring Your Patients to the Temple Lung Center
If the patient’s symptoms are uncontrolled or the patient is experiencing frequent exacerbations or multiple urgent care or ED visits, initiate a referral to an asthma specialist for complex patient management at Temple Lung Center for specialized care. Call 800-TEMPLE-MED.