Accelerating access to asthma biologics in Wales

Le résumé fourni par la source

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has the highest proportion of asthma admissions in Wales. Biological therapies improve exacerbation frequency and disease control. The NHS Accelerating Access Collaborative, created a framework for biologic provision and Welsh Government made this a national priority. In Wales only 20% of eligible patients are on treatment, highlighting the need for service transformation. A mapping exercise in March 2023 found diagnostics, referral process, access to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and follow-up, required improvement locally. Following stakeholder workshops, changes made included standardisation of referral triage; a physiologist-led lung function pathway; electronic MDT forms and a protocol for nurse led follow up and therapy weaning in responders. Following pathway optimisation, the number of patients on biologics in ABUHB increased from 117 to 322. Median waiting times for MDT discussion fell from 43 days to 5 days and drug initiation by 82% (Figure 1), with loss of regional differences. All cases were re-discussed in the MDT at 1 year, with 66% continuing, 20% switching and 14% stopping therapy. Median exacerbation frequency dropped from 5/year to 1/year. In responders, 66% were discharged to nurse-follow up and 37% stopped ≥1 regular therapies. erj;66/suppl_69/PA1423/F1 F1 F1 Mapping existing pathways and making targeted changes, significantly improved patient access to biologics. This approach is scalable to other regions and diseases.

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