Other Titles
Asthma Adherence and Self-Management in Pediatrics [Title Slide]
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot project was a quality improvement initiative aimed to assess various interventions designed to enhance treatment adherence amongst pediatric patients in an understaffed, underserved, rural area. It had three goals: boost interdisciplinary understanding of asthma, promote self-management amongst pediatric patients with asthma, and reduce additional clinic and emergency department visits, as well as hospitalizations.
Asthma, a chronic condition characterized by airway inflammation, affects over four million children in the US, impacting their quality of life. The condition manifests through a series of symptoms like wheezing. Without proper management, severe asthma can cause lifelong complications in pediatric patients. Nonadherence to treatment is a significant contributor to exacerbation and uncontrolled asthma.
An asthma intervention bundle was implemented to assess its impact on the self-management of 30 patients. The bundle included appointment and medication reminders, an Asthma Control Test survey, an Asthma Action Plan, and medication reconciliation. The interdisciplinary team at the underserved pediatric pulmonary clinic received an educational session on asthma and resources to assist in implementing the bundle.
The outcome of the interdisciplinary team knowledge increased by two points from a median pre-test score of 9.0 to a post-test score of 11.0. There was a decrease in emergency department visits, extra clinic visits, and hospitalizations recorded. The Asthma Control Test survey reflected an overall enhancement of self- management and decreased in patients' symptoms.
The implications for practice showed the pilot project had an impact for each intervention on clinic operations and patient adherence to asthma management plans. The project underscored the effects of resource scarcity on the clinic. Approximately 71% of patients attended their appointments, and a mere 7% brought their medications. However, there was a decrease in emergency visits from 30% at the beginning of the project to 10% at the end of project implementation.
The Asthma Action Plan proved beneficial for patients and families. Although it was found to be time-consuming for documenting by the healthcare team, it was beneficial in the long run upon patient return visits.
Notes
References:
Janevic, M. R., Stoll, S., Wilkin, M., Song, P. X., Baptist, A., Lara, M., Ramos-Valencia, G., Bryant-Stephens, T., Persky, V., Uyeda, K., Lesch, J. K., Wang, W., & Malveaux, F. J. (2016). Pediatric Asthma Care Coordination in Underserved Communities: A Quasiexperimental Study. American journal of public health, 106(11), 2012–2018. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303373
Morris, T.S., Autry, E.B., & Kuhn, R.J. (2021). The Role of Biologics in the Management of Asthma in the Pediatric Patient. Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 26(5), 427-436. https://doi.org/10.5863/1551-6776-26.5.427
Schatz, M., Sorkness, C. A., Li, J. T., Marcus, P., Murray, J. J., Nathan, R. A., Kosinski, M., Pendergraft, T. B., & Jhingran, P. (2006). Asthma Control Test: reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients not previously followed by asthma specialists. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 117(3), 549–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2006.01.011
Sheares, B. J., Mellins, R. B., Dimango, E., Serebrisky, D., Zhang, Y., Bye, M. R., Dovey, M. E., Nachman, S., Hutchinson, V., & Evans, D. (2015). Do Patients of Subspecialist Physicians Benefit from Written Asthma Action Plans? American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 191(12), 1374–1383. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201407-1338OC
Wang, L., Timmer, S., & Rosenman, K. (2020). Assessment of a University-Based Outpatient Asthma Education Program for Children. Journal of pediatric health care: official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 34(2), 128–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2019.09.004
Sigma Membership
Nu Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Pilot/Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Pediatric Patients, Asthma Adherence, Self-care, Self-Management, Underserved Areas, Rural Areas, Global Applications
Recommended Citation
Kaur, Harroop S. and Goldstein, Nancy S., "Asthma Adherence and Self-Management in Pediatrics: A Quality Improvement Project" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 121.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/121
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Asthma Adherence and Self-Management in Pediatrics: A Quality Improvement Project
Seattle, Washington, USA
The purpose of this pilot project was a quality improvement initiative aimed to assess various interventions designed to enhance treatment adherence amongst pediatric patients in an understaffed, underserved, rural area. It had three goals: boost interdisciplinary understanding of asthma, promote self-management amongst pediatric patients with asthma, and reduce additional clinic and emergency department visits, as well as hospitalizations.
Asthma, a chronic condition characterized by airway inflammation, affects over four million children in the US, impacting their quality of life. The condition manifests through a series of symptoms like wheezing. Without proper management, severe asthma can cause lifelong complications in pediatric patients. Nonadherence to treatment is a significant contributor to exacerbation and uncontrolled asthma.
An asthma intervention bundle was implemented to assess its impact on the self-management of 30 patients. The bundle included appointment and medication reminders, an Asthma Control Test survey, an Asthma Action Plan, and medication reconciliation. The interdisciplinary team at the underserved pediatric pulmonary clinic received an educational session on asthma and resources to assist in implementing the bundle.
The outcome of the interdisciplinary team knowledge increased by two points from a median pre-test score of 9.0 to a post-test score of 11.0. There was a decrease in emergency department visits, extra clinic visits, and hospitalizations recorded. The Asthma Control Test survey reflected an overall enhancement of self- management and decreased in patients' symptoms.
The implications for practice showed the pilot project had an impact for each intervention on clinic operations and patient adherence to asthma management plans. The project underscored the effects of resource scarcity on the clinic. Approximately 71% of patients attended their appointments, and a mere 7% brought their medications. However, there was a decrease in emergency visits from 30% at the beginning of the project to 10% at the end of project implementation.
The Asthma Action Plan proved beneficial for patients and families. Although it was found to be time-consuming for documenting by the healthcare team, it was beneficial in the long run upon patient return visits.
Description
A quality improvement project in western United States focused on pediatric asthma patients in underserved areas. A bundle implemented improved treatment adherence and self-management. This is a project that can be utilized in underserved areas globally.