OUTCOMES ANALYSIS OF A SUMMER ASTHMA CAMP

Forty children with moderate to severe asthma were enrolled in an asth ma camp. Changes in peak flow meter (PFM) and metered-dose inhaler (MD I) technique, health care utilization, and school absenteeism were eva luated. The mean post-PFM score at the end of camp (8.9 +/- 0.3) was s ignificantly higher (p <.0001) than the pre PFM score (6.0 +/- 3.4). T he mean post-MDI score (6.5 +/- 1.5) was significantly higher (p < 0.0 002) than the pre-MDI score (4.1 +/- 1.8). Emergency room visits decre ased by 59%, hospitalizations decreased by 83%, and school absenteeism decreased from 266 to 188 days. Health care savings totaled $2014 per child enrolled.