THE ASTHMA OUTREACH PROJECT - A PROMISING APPROACH TO COMPREHENSIVE ASTHMA MANAGEMENT

We describe a pilot system of coordinated asthma care emphasizing home visits by a community-based lay worker collaborating with a pediatric ian, pharmacist, and public health nurse. Study participants included 23 low-income children with moderate to severe asthma and their famili es at an inner-city pediatric clinic. This system was successfully imp lemented, and client satisfaction was extremely high. Utilization revi ew showed a reduction in hospitalizations, emergency department visits , and unscheduled clinic visits, and an increase in follow-up clinic v isits. This model of care may reduce unscheduled service use and deser ves further study as an alternative for asthma management among simila r patient populations.