
ESTABLISHING AN ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN A FREE OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Abstract Background. Despite extensive research and clinical guidelines to improve asthma management, application in practice often fails to meet those recommendations. This project aimed to standardize asthma care in an outpatient clinic by establishing an asthma management protocol (AMP) comprised of evidence-based activities. Theoretical Framework. This project used the Academic Center for Evidence-based Practice Star Model for the Cycle of Knowledge Transformation by Stevens. This model involves five steps: discover, summary, translation, integration, and evaluation. Methods. This was a quality improvement project that used a quantitative design for data collection and analysis. The setting was a free outpatient clinic in central Pennsylvania primarily operated by volunteers. The AMP consisted of implementing the asthma control test, implementing the asthma action plan, and providing patients with asthma self-management education by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, providers, and a pharmacist. The performance of asthma care activities was evaluated through chart reviews to compare the compliance before and after the AMP implementation. Chi-square tests were used for analysis. Results. The AMP was implemented on 81% of eligible patients. The use of inhaled corticosteroids reached 75%, assessing smoking and scheduling follow-ups reached 100%, and all other elements of the AMP reached 81% implementation. Statistically significant improvements were achieved regarding the AAP implementation, medication education, inhaler technique, and symptom monitoring education. Conclusions. This project provides an example of the application of evidence-based practice in asthma care. The findings will guide the implementation of similar projects in other outpatient clinics to improve the quality of care for patients with asthma.
Files
Metadata
Work Title | ESTABLISHING AN ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN A FREE OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA |
---|---|
Access | |
Creators |
|
Keyword |
|
License | All rights reserved |
Work Type | Project |
Acknowledgments |
|
Publication Date | 04/09/2020 |
Deposited | April 09, 2020 |
Versions
Analytics
Collections
This resource is currently not in any collection.