Follow-up after acute asthma episodes: What improves future outcomes?

Reference Country Age No. of subjects (intervention/control group) Intervention Results: primary outcome Other results Castro et al, 200319 United States 18-65 y 50/46 Nurse-focused intervention Simplify medication regimen Have patient complete "asthma care flow sheet" daily Asthma education with patient education considering patient cultural beliefs/motivation Psychosocial support/screening for counseling Asthma self-management plan Discharge planning/facilitation with social services Outpatient follow-up through telephone contact, home visits, and follow-up appointments with PCP Sixty percent reduction in total readmissions in intervention group (P = .04) Intervention group experienced less missed work and school and lower health care costs. Gorelick et al, 200620 United States 24 mo to 18 y 95 (a); 81(b) /99(c) Copy of ED chart and letter with recommendations faxed to PCP office (a and b) Telephone call reminders/assistance with making follow-up appointment (a and b) Case manager enrollment, including home visits, telephone calls, environmental assessments, personalized care plan, asthma education, and referral to community services (b) No difference between treatment groups in subsequent ED visit for asthma (group a, 39.2%; group b, 35.8%; group c, 38.4%) No difference between intervention group and usual care group in quality of life or controller use, although the latter improved substantially in both groups.