Developing datasets for a national audit of hospital asthma care and organisation in England and Wales.

Abstract

Introduction: A national review of asthma deaths found that asthma management and care was inadequate in 26% of cases reviewed. The Asthma Audit Development Project was established to develop and test audit methods and datasets for a National Asthma Audit to address shortfalls in asthma care. Methods: A multidisciplinary group of experts, including asthma patients, was formed and used as a source of governance and guidance. A review of asthma literature and guidelines was undertaken to identify areas of poor and variable asthma care which, if improved, could lead to better patient outcomes. Areas identified were mapped to specific guidelines and standards to develop datasets covering adult and paediatric care and organisation. Dataset development also comprised: expert review public consultation to seek broad stakeholder opinion a focus group to seek views and feedback on what areas of asthma care were important to asthma patients and carers. Datasets were tested within a clinical setting by adult and paediatric hospitals in England and Wales. Participating hospitals were asked to comment and feedback on the practicalities of collecting the information needed. Results: Feedback and patient views were used to inform and develop five datasets covering adult and paediatric asthma care. Datasets were designed for continuous clinical audit, with a snapshot organisational audit component. Hospitals testing confirmed that the necessary information could be collected and the data collection process could be incorporated into existing hospital processes. Conclusion: This describes the approach followed and the activities undertaken to develop hospital datasets for a National Asthma Audit.