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Learning Objective 1: Identify Quality Improvement Methodology Techniques used for improving patient outcomes.
Learning Objective 2: Describe a collaborative, clinical model that can be used to improve the outcomes for pediatric patients admitted with asthma.
Multiple teams focusing on different aspects of the care of the patient admitted with asthma collaborated to define a set of best practices to address the needs of patients and families. Among these strategies included development and implementation of the Asthma Action Plan prior to the core measure being developed by the Joint Commission, reducing waste of multi-dose inpatient inhalers, financial counseling for patients with the need, assuring that patients had single dose medications in hand prior to discharge, implementation of a risk assessment tool and development of a working relationship with several managed care organizations.
As a result of the collaborations and use of quality improvement methodology, several outcomes were achieved including reduction in readmission rates without increasing length of stay, cost savings as a result of not wasting inpatient multi dose medications, meeting the Joint Commission core measure, and tailoring patient interventions based on their identified needs.
Collaboration and use of quality improvement methodology has enabled improvement in the quality of care delivered to patients admitted with asthma at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Patient outcomes were improved and specific areas of patient need addressed.