States the topic

Assignment 20

Comparing a paragraph and an abstract

Paragraph

Abstract

The Asthma Care Network (ACN), a program designed to assist healthcare providers in the assessment and management of their patients with asthma, employs a team of specially trained Respiratory Care Associates (RCAs), 100 RNs and RTs, who visit primary care offices to inform staff about various components of the NAEPP Guidelines and assist in their implementation. .A total of 4901 primary care providers in 2876 sites were recruited as part of the ACN program. Data from more than 60,000 patient visits were collected and analyzed between March 2002 and January 2004. The program assessment tool surveyed asthma control and medication prescribing patterns. Outcome measures included degree of symptom control, limitation of activity, sleep disruption, use of rescue medication and utilization of urgent care services. These data were collected on an Office Visit Assessment Form (OVA) completed by both patient and physician. The RCAs provided information, education, device training in the use of inhalers and spacers, and a CE course for the staff discussing pathophysiology, assessment and management of asthma.

Epidemiologic data show that poorly controlled asthma is a serious public health problem. The degree of implementation of the NAEPP Guidelines in primary care practice remains to be defined. The objective of this survey was to determine if introduction of an assessment tool into primary care practices along with a specially designed program to implement the Guidelines would improve diagnosis and therapy.

The Asthma Care Network (ACN), a program designed to assist healthcare providers in the assessment and management of their patients with asthma, employs a team of specially trained Respiratory Care Associates (RCAs), 100 RNs and RTs, who visit primary care offices to inform staff about various components of the NAEPP Guidelines and assist in their implementation. .A total of 4901 primary care providers in 2876 sites were recruited as part of the ACN program. Data from more than 60,000 patient visits were collected and analyzed between March 2002 and January 2004. The program assessment tool surveyed asthma control and medication prescribing patterns. Outcome measures included degree of symptom control, limitation of activity, sleep disruption, use of rescue medication and utilization of urgent care services. These data were collected on an Office Visit Assessment Form (OVA) completed by both patient and physician. The RCAs provided information, education, device training in the use of inhalers and spacers, and a CE course for the staff discussing pathophysiology, assessment and management of asthma.

A total of 60,248 OVA forms were completed. Among all patient including adults (older than 18 years of age) and children (<4-17 years of age), 74% (range 69% to 81%) reported symptoms consistent with lack of asthma control. Approximately 70% of the survey group had more than 2 markers of uncontrolled asthma. As a result of this assessment, controller medication use increased by over 30%, 52% of which was an ICS- containing medication.

The information provided to the primary care health care providers resulted in a considerable increase in prescription of controller therapy, and in particular, increased use of ICS controller medication consistent with NAEPP guidelines.

Assignment 21

Analyzing the paragraph and the abstract