Process improvement for asthma. An integrated approach.
At least 18 million people in the United States have asthma. Despite the publication of national guidelines, the delivery of care has not substantially changed. This article describes a program at Chicago city sites to improve the delivery of care to adults and children with asthma. Using consistent comprehensive patient education materials, innovative provider education, and a variety of continuous quality improvement interventions including creation of a designated practitioner, this project enhances partnership between patients and health care providers.
Kallenbach
Annemarie
A
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, USA.
Ludwig-Beymer
Patti
P
Welsh
Cindy
C
Norris
Jennifer
J
Giloth
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards*; D019468:Disease Management; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000592:standards; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*