Key findings and quality improvement recommendatons from the national asthma and COPD audit programme (NACAP) primary care audit April 2017- September 2018

Abstract

The NACAP’s primary care audit places an emphasis on ensuring that primary care services, local health boards and national governments are aware of the state of affairs in asthma and COPD care for children and adults. These key findings raise an awareness of the diagnosis of asthma and COPD as well as patients’ management of their respiratory conditions. The findings are based on data from 191/410 Welsh GP practices in Wales and may well paint a picture of the state of primary care of these respiratory diseases across the UK as a whole. Key findings and quality improvement recommendations include: Diagnosis 79% of asthma patients had some kind of objective test recorded. Only 24% of adults and 9% of children with asthma had a spirometry test. -Ensure all asthma patients have a diagnosis based on clinical assessment supported by objective tests. Smoking 79% of COPD patients had their smoking status recorded in the past year. -Ensure smoking status is recorded for all patients and that exposure to second hand smoke is recorded and coded. Providing high-value care 49% of adults and 35% of children with asthma, who were prescribed an inhaler, had evidence of an inhaler technique check in the past year. -Ensure inhaler technique checks are completed for all patients. Mental Health 32% of COPD patients and 31% of adults with asthma had a diagnosis of depression. -Ensure all patients are screened for mental health conditions as part of their annual review. The full report 2017-2018 NACAP primary care report will be published in March 2020.