%0 Journal Article %A Jenny Davis %A Andrew Tan %A Sian Evans %A Laura Flowers %A Hannah Burke %A Ramesh Kurukulaaratchy %T The impact of a specialist multi-disciplinary approach on burden of frequent asthma admissions %D 2014 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P3009 %V 44 %N Suppl 58 %X Background: While only 10% of asthmatics have “Difficult Asthma” they account for 80% of asthma-related expenditure and run the highest risk of acute severe exacerbations. An estimated 75% of admissions for asthma are avoidable. Guidelines advise that patients with “Difficult Asthma” are managed by an experienced specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT).Aim: To assess the impact of a case-management strategy delivered via specialist MDT on acute healthcare utilization of patients with frequent asthma admissions.Method: An MDT (consultant, specialist nurse, physiotherapist and psychologist) case-management strategy was introduced in 2010 at Southampton General Hospital (Southampton, United Kingdom) to support patients with frequent asthma admissions during admission and then in clinic. To assess efficacy, we systematically searched the hospital database for patients acutely admitted for asthma on ≥2 occasions in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Data were collected retrospectively covering patient demographics, admission details, asthma severity, and co-morbidity.Results: From 2010-2012 83 patients were admitted on ≥ 2 occasions per year (79% female, 52% BMI>30, 57% psychological co-morbidity). After introducing an MDT approach repeat asthma admission rate fell by 33% from 127 per year in 2010 to 84 in 2012 (p=0.057). Bed days also fell by 52% from 895 per year in 2010 to 430 in 2012. The number of cases per year was constant as were the number of cases who featured in only 1 year. Only 2 patients were admitted on 2 or more occasions in 2010, 2011 and 2012.Conclusion: An MDT case-management approach significantly reduces hospitalization in Difficult Asthma patients with prior frequent admission. %U