A new asthma control assessment helps clinicians focus on effective disease management

NEW YORK, N.Y.—May 3, 2011—Phreesia, the patient check-in company, announced the release of an asthma control assessment to all primary care physicians and pediatrics practices in its network. The screening tool is part of Phreesia’s automated patient check-in solution and, through a series of questions, identifies patients with uncontrolled asthma who require closer monitoring.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 17.5 million adults and 7.1 million children in the US have asthma. The CDC reports that there are 13.3 million emergency visits to physician offices or emergency rooms per year due to asthma, with an average length of hospital stay of 3.4 days. Phreesia is committed to minimizing these unnecessary emergencies and reducing long-term healthcare costs for both patients and clinicians through its assessment tool, which identifies patients with uncontrolled asthma symptoms to help physicians manage patients’ medications accordingly, keeping flare-ups at bay.

Through its wireless, touchscreen PhreesiaPad, Phreesia electronically administers the asthma control assessment to all patients who present with asthma or who have a past medical history of asthma. The screening tool includes a series of questions based on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s guidelines for assessing and managing asthma control. Some of the questions patients are asked include how often their daily activities are interrupted by shortness of breath, how often they use their rescue inhaler and how often they are awakened at night by symptoms of asthma. Phreesia’s assessment gives physicians a greater degree of confidence that all patients with asthma are being closely monitored and are receiving the proper care.

Phreesia’s solution, now used by thousands of medical practices nationwide, replaces the traditional patient clipboard and automates the check-in process for patients and practice staff. Patients enter their demographic, insurance and clinical information, as well as pay their copayments and balances, directly on the PhreesiaPad. Phreesia’s streamlined process also enhances clinical care through a growing number of health risk assessments.

“Phreesia is committed to enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery, and we are continually adding innovative tools to our solution that help us target patients in new and effective ways. With our asthma control assessment, Phreesia helps clinicians properly manage their at-risk patients and minimize unnecessary emergency room visits. We are proud to add this tool to our unique platform,” says Phreesia CEO Chaim Indig.

Contact:

Maureen McKinney
212-457-0257
mmckinney@phreesia.com