Recruiting

Boosting Referrals to Asthma Specialists for Patients Seen at the Emergency Room for an Asthma Exacerbation

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07396987

PhaseNA

Enrollment40

SponsorJuan Carlos Cardet

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Asthma Attack, Asthma Control, Asthma Exacerbations, Asthma

About this study

This study is testing a new way to help adults with asthma get follow up care after an emergency room (ER) visit for an asthma attack. Many people who come to the ER for asthma never see an asthma specialist afterward, even though specialists can offer treatments such as advanced inhalers or biologic medicines that may prevent future attacks. The study will compare two approaches. One group will receive a telehealth appointment with an asthma specialist that is scheduled for them before they leave the ER. The other group will receive the usual care, which typically includes a standard referral but no scheduled appointment. All participants will be offered a prescription for standard controller medication at discharge. The main question the study aims to answer is whether arranging a telehealth visit directly from the ER increases the number of patients who complete a follow up appointment with an asthma specialist within three months. The study will also look at whether this approach improves asthma control, reduces repeat ER visits, and helps patients better understand and use their asthma medications. This research may help identify a practical way to improve access to asthma specialists and reduce the burden of asthma for patients who frequently rely on emergency care.

Interventions

Behavioral: ER-Initiated Telehealth Referral — Participants assigned to the intervention arm will receive an asthma specialist follow up appointment that is scheduled directly from the emergency department before discharge. Emergency department staff will contact the specialist clinic to arrange a telehealth visit within 1-3 weeks. The telehealth visit will address asthma symptoms, medication use, and follow-up care needs. All participants, including those in the intervention arm, will be offered a prescription for standard inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta-agonist controller therapy at discharge. The intervention focuses on improving access to specialist care through proactive scheduling and telehealth delivery.

Primary outcomes

Proportion of Participants Completing an Asthma Specialist Follow-Up Visit Within 3 Months After Emergency Department Discharge (Within 3 months after emergency department discharge)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Asthma diagnosis ≥1 year * Seen in ER for asthma exacerbation * Persistent asthma on controller therapy * ≥1 asthma exacerbation in prior year Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have seen an asthma specialist (allergist or pulmonologist) for asthma in the past 1 year * Diagnosis of other pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD, interstitial lung disease, etc.) We will allow for current smokers, vapers and cannabis users as long as they meet one of the COPD-allowable pathways below. COPD-allowable pathways: If none of the below are satisfied, then exclude for COPD. Documentation: PFTs must be within 36 months of enrollment date; smoking history must be calculated and entered in this form based on patient input. Pack- year history will be collected for characterization/analysis but will not determineeligibility. We will allow for COPD as long as they are: * never smokers/vapers/cannabis users; * former or current smokers/vapers/cannabis users with normal PFTs with FEV1/FVC \>=70% documented in a medical record within 36 months of the enrollment date * former or current smoker/vapers/cannabis users with obstruction noted on PFTs (i.e., FEV1/FVC \<70%) but who demonstrates BOTH acute bronchodilator reversibility (i.e., \>10% increase in either FEV1%predicted or FVC% predicted) AND have a normal diffusing capacity (DLCO)

Study locations

Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room, Tampa, Florida 33606 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.