Pharmacologic Therapy for Persistent Asthma

INACTIVE REVIEW: This measure review is older than five years.

Percentage of patient aged 5 through 64 years with a diagnosis of persistent asthma who were prescribed long-term control medication Three rates are reported for this measure:

  1. Patients prescribed inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as their long term control medication
  2. Patients prescribed other alternative long term control medications (non-ICS)
  3. Total patients prescribed long-term control medication

Date Reviewed: July 26, 2015
Do Not Support: Uncertain Validity
    Group/Practice Individual Clinician

Measure Info

NQF 0047 NQF Endorsed
Measure Type
Process
Measure Steward
The American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology
Clinical Topic Area
Asthma
Care Setting
Outpatient
Data Source
Claims
Electronic Health Records
Paper Medical Records
Registry Data

ACP supports NQF 0047 with modifications: “Asthma: Pharmacologic Therapy for Persistent Asthma.” Appropriate medication management for patients with asthma can prevent, and in some cases reverse the disease process. Evidence shows that therapeutic approaches allow most people who have asthma to participate fully in activities they choose. While the evidence supports the concept behind this measure, we are concerned with the process of electronic data extraction. Further clarification of appropriate medications and an explanation of data collection methods are needed. Also, the specifications of the denominator (persistent asthma) are not specific enough to ensure the measure is being collected for the correct population. This measure will be well served by revision, once ICD-10 is operationalized.