NHS Long Term Plan ’ s key clinical priorities but have lower than expected uptake .
We worked with our three Integrated Care Systems ( ICSs ) to support asthma pathway improvements by taking a pathwaybased transformation approach . We provided clinical and transformation leadership , shared best practice and developed education and implementation materials for those involved in providing asthma care .
A package of educational resources for each innovation was created to support clinicians . The toolkits were designed in a practical way to support teams adopting and sustaining the use of FeNO and Asthma Biologics .
A pathway transformation to improve asthma diagnosis
Annually the NHS spends around £ 1.1b on asthma treatment and management , 90 % of this cost goes directly on asthma medication , including a high-volume prescription of steroid inhalers .
FeNO testing is a simple , noninvasive test to measure the amount of nitric oxide in an exhaled breath – a biomarker for airway inflammation . FeNO testing can improve patient care by contributing to a faster and more effective asthma diagnosis when used alongside a detailed clinical history and other tests . It can also be used to monitor patient response to asthma treatments .
We worked closely with all the three ICSs in our region to support the spread and adoption of FeNO machines across Yorkshire and the Humber . Working with individual Primary Care Networks ( PCNs ) we were able to increase the number of machines available across each area and facilitate discussions with FeNO suppliers to ensure each PCN was achieving value for money . Between April 2021 and February 2023 , we have seen the number of FeNO machines increase from 9 to 196 machines , which resulted in approximately 71,000 tests being completed , benefiting 19,810 asthma sufferers .
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In a span of five months , we have now referred more patients to the severe asthma service due to high FeNO readings despite optimal treatment and adherence which would have not happened before .”
Respiratory Consultant
Between April 2021 and February 2023
196 FeNO machines deployed between
April 2021 and February 2023
71,000 tests completed
19,810 asthma sufferers benefiting
26 Transforming Lives Through Innovation