Partnership for excellence in asthma care: evidence-based disease management

Our experience with developing and implementing the outpatient component of an evidence-based disease management initiative has been a positive one. Involvement of respected practicing physicians in the planning phase, recommendation of evidence-based guidelines, and the supportive relationship between the hospital and participating practices have been essential to the successful launching of an asthma disease management program by a children's healthcare system. As the implementation phase continues to progress, we are preparing for the 6 month data collection stage, including outcomes measurement and practice pattern feedback. After 1 year of implementation we will analyze the data and report on the effects of the Partnership. We expect that physicians will continue to use the guidelines, and therefore sustain the improved health status of children with asthma. We will continue to invite pediatricians' participation in the Partnership so that more children in our community can benefit from high-quality cost-effective care that results in superior health outcomes.