Preventing Asthma ED Visits through Follow-up Care

Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause breathing symptoms and flare-ups. After an asthma-related emergency visit, follow the discharge instructions and arrange the recommended follow-up with your regular healthcare provider. Severe breathing difficulty or an attack that is not improving with prescribed reliever medicine needs emergency help.

Importance of Follow-up Care

Follow-up after an asthma-related emergency visit is an opportunity to review symptoms, treatment, and the discharge instructions with a healthcare provider. The next steps depend on the individual assessment and may include:

1. Assessment of asthma severity: The healthcare provider should evaluate the patient’s asthma severity and adjust their treatment plan accordingly. The provider may recommend changes in medication, dosage, or frequency of use.

2. Education: The patient should receive education about asthma triggers, proper medication use, and self-management techniques to prevent future exacerbations.

3. Monitoring: Continued assessment can help a healthcare provider review symptom control and discuss whether the treatment plan needs to change.

4. Referral: If necessary, the healthcare provider may refer the patient to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

Benefits of Follow-up Care

1. Reviewing asthma control: Follow-up gives patients and providers a chance to discuss symptoms and the current care plan.

2. Recognizing changes: Follow-up gives patients and their healthcare providers an opportunity to review symptoms, treatment, and when further assessment is needed.

3. Better medication management: Follow-up care allows healthcare providers to adjust the patient’s medication regimen to optimize asthma control.

4. Patient education: Follow-up care allows patients to receive education about asthma triggers, medication use, and self-management techniques, empowering them to take control of their condition.

Barriers to Follow-up Care

Despite the benefits of follow-up care, many patients do not receive it for various reasons. One of the primary barriers is the lack of access to healthcare services, particularly for low-income and uninsured patients. These patients may not have a primary care physician or cannot afford the cost of follow-up care.

Another barrier is the lack of awareness among patients and their caregivers about the importance of follow-up care. Patients may not understand the need for ongoing monitoring and management of their asthma symptoms, especially if they feel relatively well after leaving the ED. Caregivers may also have difficulty navigating the healthcare system or may not have the resources to schedule follow-up appointments.

Improving Follow-up Care

Healthcare providers can take several steps to improve follow-up care for asthma patients. One is ensuring patients receive a comprehensive asthma action plan before leaving the ED. An asthma action plan outlines the patient’s medications, triggers to avoid, and steps to take in case of an asthma attack.

Providers can also use electronic health records (EHRs) to track patients’ follow-up care appointments and send reminders to patients and their caregivers. EHRs can also help providers identify patients at high risk of asthma-related complications and prioritize follow-up care for those patients.

Engaging patients and caregivers in the care process can also improve follow-up care. Providers can educate patients and caregivers about the importance of follow-up care and provide resources to help them navigate the healthcare system. Patients can also be encouraged to ask questions and share their concerns with their healthcare providers.

Conclusion

Follow-up after an asthma-related emergency visit supports continued assessment and discussion of the treatment plan. Follow the discharge instructions and arrange the recommended follow-up with your regular provider. If access or appointment timing is difficult, contact that provider to discuss the next step.

Discuss your asthma action plan, medication questions, and follow-up arrangements with your regular healthcare provider. Tell them about difficulties accessing care or carrying out the plan so they can discuss the available options.

For a non-emergency concern, contact UCM about urgent care in Ashtabula and confirm whether Prospect can assess your symptoms. Continue asthma follow-up with your regular provider and follow the asthma action plan. Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty or an attack that is not improving with prescribed reliever medicine.