Abstract

Title:

Reducing the number of short acting beta agonists prescribed in asthma patients
Author:
Rebecca Bateman

Background:

New guidelines regarding asthma management from NICE/BTS were introduced in 2024. These updates highlighted the importance of commencing patients on anti-inflammatory reliever or maintenance and reliever therapy. These guidelines were brought in, due to clinical outcomes in asthmatic patients found to be poorest in those on only short acting beta agonists. Further evidence found associations between severe exacerbations and hospitalisations with the overuse of these inhalers, implying a need for change.

Methods:

QI methods were implicated throughout the project. This included generation of process maps, driver diagram, fishbone diagram, designing and implication of multiple PDSA cycles. Objectives and aims were identified, in addition to identification of measurements. These included patient cohorts, the number of short acting beta agonists identified and the percentage reduction of inhalers ordered by the end of the project period.

Relevance/impact:

Of all patients identified in our age cohort, there was a 16.6% reduction in the number of short acting beta agonists ordered over the project period. Additionally, 10.3% of these patients were switched from the outdated NICE guidelines to current guidelines.

Outcomes/discussion:

These findings outline the importance of patient intervention for the management of chronic conditions, particularly respiratory conditions. Implementation allows for improved control of asthma and reduces the risk of significant adverse effects in addition to improving quality of life. These findings can be utilized in practise to promote early changes in asthma management, whilst reducing the risk of adverse events.