Technology-enabled multidisciplinary team in-reach for oral corticosteroid stewardship and optimizing care of suspected airways disease exacerbations.

Abstract

Overuse of corticosteroids is an important problem not only in asthma but also the management of other airways diseases including bronchiectasis and COPD and results in associated risks of serious side effects and irreversible harm. We report a pilot using an in-reach solution to review patients, optimise their care and facilitate early discharge. We discharged >20% of our patients immediately, which is potentially a significant reduction in hospital bed use and, most importantly, through this approach we were able to establish early diagnosis and reduce inappropriate oral corticosteroid use.