Key Clinical Activities - Hospitalist Track

The key clinical activities (KCAs) in this EQIPP course include the following:

• Asthma Management
• Ongoing Care

Asthma Management

Asthma exacerbations can be life threatening, and care must be prompt, safe, and effective. This first KCA, Asthma Management, addresses quality improvement strategies to improve practices’ methods for conducting an initial assessment of the asthma exacerbation, initiating treatment based on the severity of the exacerbation, close monitoring for any deterioration in the patient’s condition, frequent treatment, and repeated assessment. 

It also addresses classifying the patient’s chronic asthma symptoms and initiating, maintaining, or adjusting age-appropriate controller therapy per current guidelines and following a stepwise approach.

Ongoing Care

Patients admitted for an asthma exacerbation are at high risk for having another severe exacerbation. This second KCA, Ongoing Care, addresses quality improvement strategies for ongoing asthma management.

This involves helping families address barriers to care, developing asthma self-management skills, and monitoring asthma control with regular visits to primary or subspecialty care. It also recommends a flu shot when admissions occur during flu season for patients ≥6 months.