Improving Asthma Care for African American Children by Increasing National Asthma Guideline Adherence

Introduction: Children, particularly African American children, bear a disproportionate burden of asthma and are at highest risk for associated morbidity and mortality. The under-utilization of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines across all demographics and the under use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as controller therapy in these children are well-documented. The primary aim of this study was to increase health care provider (HCP) adherence to the NAEPP guidelines by means of a guideline reminder tool, the Multi-colored Simplified Asthma Guideline Reminder, consequently increasing the prescription of ICS in this population. Method: This study had a pre-experimental design with descriptive analysis. Results: The Multi-colored Simplified Asthma Guideline Reminder was effective in increasing HCP adherence to the NAEPP guidelines as evidenced by increased use of ICS as controller therapy. Discussion: Despite the increasing prevalence and burden of asthma in African American children, the associated prescriptive use of ICS has not increased substantially in the past decade. The greatest obstacle in the scope of improving asthma outcomes is the underuse of ICS by HCPs. J Pediatr Health Care. (2011) 25, 235-249.