The relationship between the management and control of asthma in primary health care

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine, evaluate, and improve the management and control of asthma in primary health care clinics in Potchefstroom, an entity of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipal District. The ultimate goal of the study was to measure the guideline-directed outcomes and to supply useful retrospective health status data. A three-stage, non-experimental, quantitative, repeated measures, descriptive designed study reviewed and checked key performance measures and documented compliance for applicability in the setting. Medical records of all asthma-diagnosed patients who attended the primary health care clinics for asthma-related or -unrelated visits during the period May to July 2008, 2009 and 2010 were reviewed. This resulted in a total of 323 asthma patient records, ranging from 3 - 81 years of age, over the three timeslots. Overall, a mere 0,6% of patients reached the well-controlled level (PEF ≥ 80%) as stipulated by the 2007 updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma (the Expert Panel Report 3) of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). After a greater focus was placed on essential outcomes, by means of different disease management documents, an improvement in quality of managed care were noticeable although dedicated and continuous education and motivation are still required.