Home supply of emergency oral steroids and reduction in asthma healthcare utilization.

Objective: To determine if children with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma have decreased healthcare utilization after receiving a prescription and instructions to use an at home emergency supply of oral steroids during asthma exacerbations.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design study with a historical control from retrospective chart review was performed for patients aged 2-18 years seen in a tertiary care pediatric pulmonary clinic for moderate to severe persistent asthma. Baseline utilization of the emergency department, inpatient hospital, and pediatric intensive care unit for asthma exacerbations was collected from 24 months prior to initial prescription for at home steroids and compared with 12 months post-intervention using Poisson Regression.