Breath of Fresh Care: Redefining Processes around Pediatric Asthma Core Measures

The pediatric team at this hospital recognized the need to improve processes surrounding care of the pediatric patient with asthma. A multidisciplinary group formed to develop strategies to increase compliance of the pediatric asthma core measures. At the same time, the team worked to revamp pediatric asthma education and patient/family engagement in caring for their asthma. In coordination with GetWell Network?s Interactive Patient Care educational system, the team developed a new asthma curriculum in the electronic medical record. The education automated in the asthma care order sets includes evaluation of comprehension, as well as notifications to the health care team when a patient or family member has any concerns, questions or has completed the education. The outcomes that are being measured are completion of education, readmission rates and compliance with the core measures. Their goal is to continually monitor and see improvement in their patient satisfaction in the area of keeping their families informed.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)