Increasing Specialty Care Referral for Patients with Uncontrolled Asthma Presenting to the Emergency Department Through an Educational Intervention - UCMC

Target Professions: DO, MD, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate/Assistant
Target Specialties: Allergy and Immunology, Emergency Medicine, Pulmonary/Respiratory Physician
Credits Available: 4.25 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

This curriculum empowers emergency department physicians to recognize severe and uncontrolled asthma in patients presenting with acute exacerbations. Through practical guidance, participants will explore key clinical indicators and referral strategies to connect patients with life-changing treatments like biologics. By enhancing these critical skills, the program aims to improve care pathways and outcomes for individuals with complex asthma.


CME/CE Accreditation Information

Itinerary

Part 1: Assessments and Self-Study Modules

Baseline Assessment

Answer the following questions to assess your knowledge of severe and uncontrolled asthma management.

Module 1 - Diagnostic Classification of Severe and Uncontrolled Asthma in the Emergency Department

This module will discuss the diagnostic classification of severe and uncontrolled asthma. Recurring ED visits are a common issue in patients with asthma.

Module 2 - Adverse Effects of Oral Corticosteroids and How to Prevent Overuse in Patients with Severe and Uncontrolled Asthma

This module will include a discussion of the adverse effects of OCS, ways to minimize reliance on their use in the ED, and guideline-oriented strategies to prevent future overuse, promoting better patient outcomes.

Module 3 - Utilizing a Guideline-Aligned Process for Referral of Patients to Asthma Specialists in the Electronic Health Record

In this module, we will explore parameters that may be contained in an electronic health record (EHR) template to assist with asthma management in the emergency department (ED).

Final Assessment

Answer the following questions to assess your knowledge of severe and uncontrolled asthma management.

For Discussion: Patient Case 1 – Francine, a 38-year-old woman with an asthma exacerbation and a request for long-term oral corticosteroids

A 38-year-old woman presenting to the emergency department with an asthma exacerbation. It discusses strategies to assess severe asthma classification and explores implications for management.

For Discussion: Patient Case 2 – Victor, a 44-year-old man with an asthma exacerbation who required hospitalization in the past

A 44-year-old man presenting to the emergency department with an asthma exacerbation. It explores strategies to assess uncontrolled asthma and its implications for management.

Your Action Plan in Uncontrolled Asthma

In light of the information reviewed and discussed during this program, please share an action plan that you will implement to improve the diagnosis and management for your patients with uncontrolled asthma.

Live Group Discussion

In this Live Group Discussion, we will review baseline and final assessments and modules, highlighting common areas of difficulty in recognizing severe and uncontrolled asthma. We will also review Patient Cases 1 and 2 and discuss the DOT Phrase incorporated into our EHR to assist with asthma management and referrals in the emergency department (ED).

Interested in becoming a Group Leader?

Requirements:
Group Leaders must be Emergency Medicine Physicians (MD or DO). Apply Now

Interested in participating in this curriculum? You can join one of the following groups:

Anita Goel, MD
attending physician in emergency medicine
Enroll
RA
Ryan Armentano, PA
Physician Assistant
Enroll
NK
Natalie Kreitzer, MD, MS
Associate Professor
Enroll
NK
Nicole Kopel, MD
Resident Physician
Enroll
JS
Jeremy Sobocinski, MD
Administration & Operations Fellow/Clinical Instructor of Emergency Medicine
Enroll