AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Daily Patient-Provider Communication and Data Transfer Using Mobile Phones Improves Outcomes and Reduces Costs for Teens With Chronic Asthma

Daily Patient-Provider Communication and Data Transfer Using Mobile Phones Improves Outcomes and Reduces Costs for Teens With Chronic Asthma

Snapshot
Summary
San Mateo Medical Center distributed mobile phones with customized disease management software to young asthma patients, allowing them to communicate with and receive real-time feedback from providers on at least a daily basis. The communication focuses on how to better manage asthma on an ongoing basis, with the goal of reducing exacerbations that might lead to costly acute episodes. The initiative enhanced compliance with the daily diary and with medication regimens, which in turn led to better patient outcomes, less use of rescue medications, and fewer emergency department visits and missed school days.

Please see the Results section for updates on findings of the pilot test and How They Did It and Adoption Considerations for additional information on successful implementation of the program (updated September 2009).

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of a small, 8-month pilot test conducted at the San Mateo Medical Center that provides before and after comparisons on key measures.

abrir aquí para acceder al documento AHRQ completo:
AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Daily Patient-Provider Communication and Data Transfer Using Mobile Phones Improves Outcomes and Reduces Costs for Teens With Chronic Asthma