Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Event Title

Development of an Asthma Care Clinic for Underserved Patients

Presenter Information

Germaine Williams, Butler University

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Subject Area

Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Start Date

11-4-2014 10:15 AM

End Date

11-4-2014 11:45 AM

Description

Introduction: The lifetime prevalence of asthma in Indiana is 13.7% as compared to the national average of 13.3%. Asthma medications, especially inhalers are very expensive, which makes the underserved community especially vulnerable to disease complications such as missed school or work days, increased ER use, and decreased quality of life in general. The Gennesaret Free Clinic (GFC) currently offers albuterol inhalers and oral prednisone, which does not allow compliance with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. There is currently no way for patients of the clinic to consistently manage persistent asthma of any severity, for this reason the primary purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of creating a sustainable asthma care clinic using the GFC as the site of care. The second purpose is to assess the benefit of increased access to a greater number of asthma medications to patients and the community.

Methods: This study was designed as a prospective feasibility study investigating the cost and value of developing a new service, a twice monthly asthma care clinic at GFC. Existing GFC patients diagnosed with asthma were assessed for baseline lung function and asthma control includes peak flow, FEV1, nocturnal symptoms, rescue inhaler use, and number of days missed due to asthma symptoms (work, school, social). Patients that did not have medication coverage applied for patient assistance programs (PAP) in order to receive necessary therapy to follow GINA guidelines. The first month supply of medication was furnished at no cost to the patient in order to give adequate time for processing of the application. Patients were followed up for 4 visits in order to address a different point of patient education at each visit. With each visit, symptoms, medication therapy, and patient education were addressed and documented.

Anticipated Results: With help through patient assistance programs and increased patient education, underserved patients with asthma may gain several improvements in their quality of life. It is hoped that this data will lead to improved lung function, decreased illness related to asthma, decreased costs to patient and community with decreased emergency care needed, increased self-management of chronic disease state, and lastly, decreased health disparities. At completion of the study, this project will be presented to the medical board and the providers of the Gennesaret Free Clinic as well as the Butler University community. Data from this project will be used to determine if the new asthma clinic will be continued, augmented, or discontinued after completion of this study. Future studies may look closer at costs, long-term outcomes of asthma treatment or the benefit in pediatric patients.

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Apr 11th, 10:15 AM Apr 11th, 11:45 AM

Development of an Asthma Care Clinic for Underserved Patients

Indianapolis, IN

Introduction: The lifetime prevalence of asthma in Indiana is 13.7% as compared to the national average of 13.3%. Asthma medications, especially inhalers are very expensive, which makes the underserved community especially vulnerable to disease complications such as missed school or work days, increased ER use, and decreased quality of life in general. The Gennesaret Free Clinic (GFC) currently offers albuterol inhalers and oral prednisone, which does not allow compliance with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. There is currently no way for patients of the clinic to consistently manage persistent asthma of any severity, for this reason the primary purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of creating a sustainable asthma care clinic using the GFC as the site of care. The second purpose is to assess the benefit of increased access to a greater number of asthma medications to patients and the community.

Methods: This study was designed as a prospective feasibility study investigating the cost and value of developing a new service, a twice monthly asthma care clinic at GFC. Existing GFC patients diagnosed with asthma were assessed for baseline lung function and asthma control includes peak flow, FEV1, nocturnal symptoms, rescue inhaler use, and number of days missed due to asthma symptoms (work, school, social). Patients that did not have medication coverage applied for patient assistance programs (PAP) in order to receive necessary therapy to follow GINA guidelines. The first month supply of medication was furnished at no cost to the patient in order to give adequate time for processing of the application. Patients were followed up for 4 visits in order to address a different point of patient education at each visit. With each visit, symptoms, medication therapy, and patient education were addressed and documented.

Anticipated Results: With help through patient assistance programs and increased patient education, underserved patients with asthma may gain several improvements in their quality of life. It is hoped that this data will lead to improved lung function, decreased illness related to asthma, decreased costs to patient and community with decreased emergency care needed, increased self-management of chronic disease state, and lastly, decreased health disparities. At completion of the study, this project will be presented to the medical board and the providers of the Gennesaret Free Clinic as well as the Butler University community. Data from this project will be used to determine if the new asthma clinic will be continued, augmented, or discontinued after completion of this study. Future studies may look closer at costs, long-term outcomes of asthma treatment or the benefit in pediatric patients.