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A comprehensive inner-city asthma program reduces hospital and emergency room utilization
Z Harish1, A C Bregante, C Morgan
1Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, USA.
Summary
A comprehensive asthma care program significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospital admissions for inner-city children. This program improved asthma management and decreased healthcare utilization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Inner-city pediatric populations often face significant burdens from asthma.
- High rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions are common for pediatric asthma patients in urban settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive asthma care program.
- To determine the impact of this program on ED visits and hospital admission rates in children with asthma.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month prospective randomized trial involving 300 pediatric asthma patients (ages 2-17).
- Patients were randomized to either a specialty asthma clinic or standard care.
- The specialty clinic offered intensive medical, environmental, and educational interventions with 24-hour availability.
Main Results:
- The treatment group showed a trend towards fewer ED visits (32 vs. 46) and significantly fewer mean ED visits (0.1 vs. 0.326).
- Fewer hospital admissions were observed in the treatment group (22 vs. 29).
- In the second year, the treatment group continued to have fewer ED visits and hospitalizations.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive asthma care program is effective in reducing hospital utilization among pediatric patients.
- Intensive, integrated asthma management can lead to decreased healthcare resource use.