Setting up a Multidisciplinary Pediatric Asthma Episodes of CareTM: Results from a 1-Year Study

Abstract

Asthma imposes significant physiologic stresses on patients and economic burdens on healthcare systems. Lovelace Health Systems has addressed these issues by developing a Pediatric Asthma Episodes of Care^TM Program. Specific interventions have included practice guideline development, establishment of a Pediatric Asthma Clinic, and patient and provider education. Marked improvements in resource utilization, use of anti-inflammatory medications, cost measures, symptom reduction, and quality of life are reported as results of these interventions. Multidisciplinary teamwork is crucial to overcoming barriers to positive outcome achievements.