Most Proposed Topic :
Staff Engagement and Empowerment (motivating staff / teamwork / work revamp tackling manpower issue)
Second Preferred Topic :
Healthcare Advances, Research and Innovations (new projects / technology)
Authors: (including presenting author): :
Author: Ms Lai FS, Mr Leung SH, Dr.Wong SK, Dr Ko SH, Dr Li YC
Affiliation: :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Kowloon Central Cluster
Objectives: :
In April 2023, the Nursing and Allied Health Clinic - Respiratory Disease (NAHC-RD) program has been expanded to include adult asthma patients. Respiratory assessment for Asthma patient before the consultation help to provide information for doctor in treatment planning. By induction of respiratory assessment tool before consultation, the nurses were trained and designated assessment tool and forms are selected to provide more information for doctor treatment planning. During the nurse assessment and education process, patient was empowered on self-monitoring on their own asthma condition, and early prevention of asthma exacerbation.
Methodology: :
Staff Training: Clinic nurses had been provided with a comprehensive training on asthma diagnosis, treatment, and management in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, and the latest advancements in asthma treatment options. Knowledge can raise awareness among health care providers of the prevalence, impact, and challenges related to asthma management. Assessment tools: Asthma Control Test (ACT) has been recognized and is widely used as a tool to assess and monitor asthma control in clinical settings. ACT scores helps health care providers and patients evaluate the level of asthma control and make adjustment to treatment plans. Peak flow rate (PFR) is a sample test and is a valuable measurement in the management of asthma. Designed forms in the pilot program are: pre-consultation patient assessment (Asthma Patient assessment form and home monitoring assessment form. Patients’ ACT score and PRF are recorded in the pre-consultation assessment form
Result & Outcome: :
From 6/2023 to 9/2023, a total of 41 asthma patients were recruited into the pilot program. Prior to the consultation, patients were assessed for their asthma status over the past 4 weeks. After doctor consultation, medication adjustment and patient education, there was improvement on patient asthma condition. The ACT score greater than 20 increased from 44% to 59%, with 14% of patients with a score of 25. And the proportion of patients with poorly controlled asthma (score below 15) decreased from 10% to 5%. Before patient education or first attempt to the consultation, a large proportion of patients (69%) had PFR readings is below the predicted value, and only 31% of patients who had PFR readings above the predicted value. The patient PFR improved slightly, and the predicted value greater than patient PFR increased from 31% to 38%. According to the ACT score and predicted PFR readings, it was shown the pilot program had a positive impact and improvement on conditon.
