Evaluating Clinical Outcomes and Impact of a Pharmacist-managed Asthma Clinic

Abstract

Pharmacists have increased their clinical role in providing comprehensive care with advanced knowledge in medications therapy. Clinical pharmacists have the ability to provide the most appropriate pharmacotherapy, education on self-management of asthma, and counseling on medication use and compliance. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes and impact of pharmacist-managed asthma clinic in a federal Indian Health Service facility focusing on reduced Emergency Room (ER) visits due to asthma and improvement of patient-reported asthma symptoms. The Pharmacy Asthma Clinic at the Lawton Indian Hospital recruited 180 patients from age 5 to 70 with asthma diagnosis who were referred from their Primary Care Providers via Electronic Health Record system. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who completed pre-clinic screenings, initial visits, and at least one follow-up clinic visit. Data were collected on the number of patients who reported ER visits primarily due to asthma prior to enrollment to the clinic and were compared to after completing their clinic visits. Also, initial Asthma Severity assessments and Asthma Control trends were collected according to the guideline criteria. The number of ER visits primarily due to asthma after enrollment to the clinic decreased by 97.8% and 82.2% (n=111) of enrolled patients achieved Well Controlled status after completing an initial visit plus at least one follow-up visit. Pharmacist-managed asthma clinic reduced ER visits and improved patients' asthma symptoms by providing most appropriate medication therapy combined with thorough education and counseling on medication use and compliance.