Education Is Key

In an attempt to reduce the number ofindividuals needing emergency department(ED) treatment for asthma, researchershave found that an asthma education programis beneficial. The researchers developeda program to increase asthma educationreferrals by ED personnel. A total of 600nurses, respiratory therapists, and physiciansfrom 9 centers participated in a 3-hourtraining session.

Four months after the program's inception,1104 patients were referred to an educationalprogram, compared with 110 for the sameperiod the prior year. During the follow-up,16.1% of the patients refused the intervention.On the other hand, 68.9% madeappointments, and 72.8% of these scheduledpatients kept their appointments. Implementationof the program had its difficulties, however.Some ED personnel reported lack oftime, problems incorporating the measuresinto their routines, and lack of resources.