Asthma Clinical Summary

How the Program Works | Facts You Need to Know | Compliance Management | Asthma Outcomes

How the Program Works

Matria's Asthma Management Program provides a team of respiratory specialty nurses who proactively contact and work with asthma patients to develop individualized care plans according to the severity of their illness. With educational materials and telephonic interactions, we help people with asthma:

Become educated about their disease
Recognize the early symptoms of an asthma attack
Learn how to prevent an attack or what to do during an attack
Identify their specific “asthma triggers,” such as dust, mold, cold air, cigarette smoke, allergies or exercise and how to manage those triggers (e.g., taking medication before exercise)
Educate them about medication therapies available and the need to carry a “rescue” inhaler in the event of an episode
Know when to seek help and understand that they must seek medical attention when asthma symptoms do not improve

Other services available within the program:

Management of co-morbidities
24/7 call line staffed by registered nurses
Peak flow meters if covered by contract
Access to smoking cessation services

Facts You Need to Know

Adults who do not manage their asthma properly may be absent frequently or fail to perform at their highest level while at work. Asthma accounts for an estimated 14.5 million lost work days annually for people over the age of 18 and costs the nation roughly $14 billion in both direct medical and indirect costs, such as lost productivity.

Asthma is the leading diagnosis for hospital admission and the most common reason for school absenteeism among children. This obstructive lung disease causes 14 million lost school days a year and takes many parents out of work to care for their children. In comparison to a child without the disease, children with asthma miss 10 million more school days annually, make 13 million more doctor visits and account for 200,000 more hospitalizations.

Despite numerous drugs available, statistics show that asthma is still poorly managed. In a recent survey, for instance, 48 percent of respondents said asthma limits their ability to participate in recreational activities and sports. Another 36 percent admitted the disease limits their physical exertion, while 25 percent said asthma affects their social lives.

But with proper adherence to current scientifically proven guidelines, most people with asthma can lead normal lives and avoid the symptoms of shortness of breath, symptoms with exercise or nocturnal awakening due to asthmatic symptoms. Matria’s program helps people with asthma live a more normal, unhindered life.

Compliance Management

Our program is designed to help patients comply with their doctor’s plan of care, which involves several key clinical performance indicators based on national standards. While working with patients, we track their adherence to these standards and report back measurable results to show program impact on patient compliance. For patients with asthma, we monitor the following:

Appropriate use of inhaled anti-inflammatory agents
Increased number of people who use the Asthma Management Plan, a written guide on asthma care based on national clinical standards
Monitoring of body mass index (BMI)
Annual flu shots
Pneumonia vaccinations
Peak flow meters to measure lung activity at home upon request
Aspirin usage to prevent heart attacks

Asthma Outcomes

Matria's Asthma Management Program produced the following results for a range of clients:

Cost Savings:

Reduced emergency room admissions by 27 percent and per member per month (PMPM) emergency room costs by 33 percent
Reduced hospitalizations by 38 percent and PMPM hospitalization costs by 42 percent
Reduced PMPM medical costs by 7.25 percent
Reduced PMPM pharmaceutical costs by 13 percent
Reduced overall PMPM costs by 15 percent
Reduced hospital days by 17 percent

Clinical Performance Indicators:

Increased appropriate use of medications by 100 percent
Increased appropriate use of anti-inflammatory medications by 49 percent