A time limited, nurse led intervention reduced hospital readmissions in patients with asthma and a history of frequent admissions
Q Does a time limited, nurse led intervention reduce hospital readmissions in patients with asthma and a history of frequent admissions?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial.
Allocation:
{concealed}*.
Blinding:
unblinded.
Follow up period:
1 year.
Setting:
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
Patients:
96 patients 18–65 years of age (mean age 36 y, 83% women, 82% African-American) who were admitted to hospital with asthma exacerbation, had physician diagnosed asthma for ⩾12 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity ratio <80%, and ⩾1 hospital admission in the previous 12 months.
Intervention:
a 6 month, limited, nurse led intervention (suggestions to the primary physician to simplify or consolidate current regimens; completion of daily Asthma Care flow sheets; asthma education; psychosocial support and screening for counselling; follow up through telephone contact, home visits, and primary physician visits; individualised asthma self management plan; and consultation with social service professionals to facilitate discharge planning) (n = 50) or usual care by a primary care physician (n = 46).
Outcomes:
hospital readmissions for …
