The effect of a pediatric asthma management program provided by respiratory therapists on patient outcomes and cost.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine whether a pediatric asthma disease management program (ADMP) provided by respiratory therapists can improve patient outcomes and reduce cost.


METHODS
This was a pre-and post-intervention observational study.


METHODS
Hospitalizations, non-intensive care unit (ICU) hospital days, ICU days, emergency department visits, doctor's office visits, school days missed, and associated costs were collected on 18 children with moderate to severe asthma, ages 3 to 18 years, 12 months before and after implementation of the ADMP. The ADMP consisted of eight home visits for assessment, environmental review, and patient education.


RESULTS
There were significant reductions (P < .05) in hospitalizations, hospitalization cost, ICU days, non-ICU days, length of stay, emergency department visits and cost, physician office visits and cost, and school days missed.


CONCLUSIONS
A pediatric in-home ADMP provided by respiratory therapists can improve outcomes and reduce cost in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
Shelledy
David C
DC
College of Health Related Professions, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
McCormick
Shawn R
SR
LeGrand
Terry S
TS
Cardenas
Jaime
J
Peters
Jay I
JI
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000191:economics*