Project ID : 3.d.iii
Project Name:
Asthma
Project Description:
Implementation of evidence-based medicine guidelines for asthma management
Project Chairs:
Chris Kjolhede, MD, Bassett Medical Center
Philip Heavner, MD, Bassett Medical Center
Jean Schifano, Bassett Medical Center
Objective:
To ensure access for all patients with asthma to care consistent with evidence-based medicine guidelines for asthma management.
Rationale and Relationship to Other Projects:
This project addresses asthma management issues related to compliance with clinical asthma practice guidelines and to lack of access to pulmonary and allergy specialists in areas of New York State. Asthma action plans and patient self-management are key cornerstones in asthma management. Unfortunately, not all patients are using these tools. In addition, those with difficult to manage asthma may not have ready access to asthma specialists that would be needed for better control.
Core Components:
Where asthma has been identified as a critical cause of avoidable use of hospital services based upon the community assessment plan, the performing provider system will be responsible for implementing the following activities:
- Establishing collaborations between primary care practitioners, specialists and community based asthma programs (e.g., NYS Regional Asthma Coalitions) to support a regional population based approach to asthma management.
- Establishing agreement to adhere to national guidelines for asthma management and protocols for access to asthma specialists. Protocols may include using EHR-HIE connectivity and telemedicine.
- Providing educational activities addressing asthma management for primary care providers.
- Developing a quality committee to assess outcomes including medical record audit to ensure guideline compliance.
- Coordination with the Medicaid Managed Care organizations serving the affected population. Coordination should also include Health Homes for involved patients.