Young Patients Need to Refill Their Asthma Meds

Taking asthma medication is important, especially for the younger patients because it helps to reduce flare-ups and emergency room visits. A team in Colorado noticed a number of their patients weren’t refilling their medications — patients often stop when they feel better — and children have the lowest refill rates for inhaled corticosteroids. So they chose five patients each week, ages 5 to 17, who hadn’t refilled their prescriptions in more than a year. The team contacted 1,100 members and were able to increase the refill rate of inhaled corticosteroids for this group from 43 percent to 60 percent. 

Here's What Worked

• Identifying asthmatic patients, who haven’t processed refills
• Contacting in groups of five each week until every patient has been reached
• Communicating the benefits of inhaled corticosteroids

What can your team do to proactively reach out to patients to help them manage their chronic conditions?