Breathe Easy: A Quality Improvement Project to Enhance Pediatric Asthma Care Using Spirometry Protocol and Education

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Primary Care Medicine
• Quality Improvement Science

Background:

• Asthma is a leading chronic childhood illness in the US, presenting a substantial healthcare burden.
• Spirometry, a key lung function test for asthma control assessment, is recommended but underused in routine pediatric care.
• Underutilization of spirometry in primary care settings hinders optimal asthma management for children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the appropriate utilization of spirometry for children with asthma in primary care.
• To implement and evaluate a quality improvement initiative focused on spirometry use.
• To improve Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' (APRNs) understanding and application of spirometry in pediatric asthma management.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement initiative was conducted, integrating a spirometry eligibility protocol.
• Education on spirometry administration and interpretation was provided to APRNs and healthcare staff.
• The initiative aimed to improve the appropriate use of spirometry among pediatric asthma patients.

Main Results:

• Spirometry utilization among eligible pediatric asthma patients increased from 0% to 25.9%.
• Protocol adherence was observed at 12.1%.
• APRN survey results indicated a positive shift in understanding, though statistical significance was not reached for this specific measure.

Conclusions:

• The integration of spirometry education and a protocol significantly boosted its utilization in primary care settings.
• The initiative enhanced APRNs' comprehension of spirometry's importance in managing pediatric asthma.
• This quality improvement approach offers a model for increasing adherence to lung function testing guidelines in primary care.