The Asthma Outreach Project: a promising approach to comprehensive asthma management

J Asthma. 1998;35(1):119-27. doi: 10.3109/02770909809055413.

Abstract

We describe a pilot system of coordinated asthma care emphasizing home visits by a community-based lay worker collaborating with a pediatrician, pharmacist, and public health nurse. Study participants included 23 low-income children with moderate to severe asthma and their families at an inner-city pediatric clinic. This system was successfully implemented, and client satisfaction was extremely high. Utilization review showed a reduction in hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and unscheduled clinic visits, and an increase in follow-up clinic visits. This model of care may reduce unscheduled service use and deserves further study as an alternative for asthma management among similar patient populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Asthma / prevention & control*
  • Asthma / rehabilitation
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Community Health Services
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • House Calls
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Selection
  • Pilot Projects
  • Poverty Areas
  • Urban Population
  • Utilization Review