Emergency Department (ED)-Directed Interventions to Improve Asthma Outcomes

The patients' PCP will be notified by fax about the ED visit and management. The Opinion Leader letter will contain a summary of the current asthma guidelines for ambulatory care (including: asthma education, long-term recommendations, smoking cessation, and action plan) signed by a local opinion leader. A review of the patient's management within a week of the ED visit will be recommended. The patient will also receive information regarding their acute exacerbation and will be told to review the current management of their disease with their PCP.

The involvement of a care manager will encourage patients' to pursue follow-up, provide management review and offer brief education via telephone within a week of being discharged

Usual care provided to asthma patients when discharged from the ED