A home-taught pediatric asthma management program that includes access to a related Web site can lead to annual asthma-related cost savings of over $11,500 per patient, as well as decreased incidences and severity of asthma attacks, according to a just-released national survey.
The 18-month survey, conducted by Olsten Kimberly QualityCare, a home healthcare agency in Melville, N.Y., also revealed that both parents and patients were overwhelmingly satisfied with the year-old Web communication program about nine out of 10 parents and children enrolled in the Web program would recommend it to others.
"The results of the survey prove that educating the patient and family to improve health practices translates into lower healthcare spending," said Robert Fusco, president of Olsten Kimberly QualityCare. "By providing the necessary knowledge and skills, the patient and family are empowered to effectively manage the disease process and improve their quality of life."
With 257 children, ages 7 to 14, participating in the study, the asthma management program's outcome indicated a 61 percent reduction in hospitalization and a 46 percent reduction in physician visits when compared with pediatric asthma patients nationwide.
The Olsten Kimberly program consists of seven weekly one-hour sessions taught by nurses in the patients' homes. The program's content and teaching techniques are tailored to reflect differences in each child's age, maturity level and learning ability to ensure maximum retention.
Participants are also encouraged to use a special access Web site that provides information on the triggers and causes of ashthma, also what to do in an asthma emergency.
"This program teaches your child what is happening to them during an asthma attack, and how to prevent the next one," said the parent of a program participant. "Of course the potential cost savings are important, but the real benefit of this program is the peace of mind it has gives me."
During the first session, children were assessed and placed into one of three categories severe, moderate and mild, as determined by National Institutes of Health criteria.
Before the program, 38 percent of the sample group required one or more hospital admissions for asthma intervention. After the program, that number had dropped significantly to 15 percent of the target group, a decrease of 61 percent. Visits to the doctor's office decreased by 46 percent.
The program, which is free to families, costs managed care companies about $500 per family.
(Olsten Kimberly QualityCare, 516/844-4923)