The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62236

Juli Goldstein, MHS, Care Management Institute, Kaiser Permanente, One Kaiser Plaza, 16th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-663-8390, juli.goldstein@kp.org and Richard M. Roth, MD, Chief of Service, Allergy Department, Kaiser Permanente, 18081 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

Preventable outcomes associated with uncontrolled asthma and potential to improve quality of life in members through evidence based interventions provided a strong case for creating an integrated population based approach to address asthma in Kaiser Permanente (KP). KP's Care Management Institute (CMI) aims to reduce morbidity and mortality among members with asthma by managing asthma optimally, developing and maintaining strong patient/ clinician partnerships, and providing decision and delivery system support. The program uses a multidisciplinary framework based on: 1) Evidence based guidelines, 2) Models and tools to assist care delivery, 3) Implementation, 4) Outcomes Evaluation and Benchmarking and 5) National Partnerships. Treatment guidelines are developed by a multidisciplinary KP workgroup to provide medication, education, and population management recommendations based on most recent evidence in the literature. To assist in care delivery, the Care Management Institute develops resources for clinicians in a variety of paper and technologically diverse formats, translates and disseminates materials, and develops and implements focused research of local asthma efforts to disseminate successful practices across regions. CMI additionally coordinates continuing education opportunities and virtual forums to disseminate cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches in all aspects of asthma care to KP clinicians. CMI continues to refine measurement approaches to support continued improvements in asthma care, develop analytical comparisons, identify risk stratification and determine organizational benchmarks. Ample data demonstrating impact of CMIs integrated approach on asthma morbidity and member care will be shared with session participants. Challenges faced, results to date, and sample program tools will be made available at the meeting.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participant will be able to:
• Develop a plan for developing an integrated program on asthma with a diverse patient base
• Identify three essential mechanisms for supporting delivery of cutting-edge asthma care
• Articulate five indicators that demonstrate a successful asthma management program

Keywords: Asthma, Disease Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Kaiser Permanante, Care Management Institute
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.