Accreditation of specialized asthma units for adults in Spain: an applicable experience for the management of difficult-to-control asthma

Abstract

Carolina Cisneros,1 Rocío Magdalena Díaz-Campos,2 Núria Marina,3 Carlos Melero,2 Alicia Padilla,4 Silvia Pascual,5 Celia Pinedo,6 Andrea Trisán7 On behalf of the DUMA Study Group 1Service of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 2Service of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, 3Asthma Unit, Laboratorio de Exploración Funcional, Department of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario Cruces, BioCruces, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, 4Agencia Sanitaria Costal de Sol, Marbella, Málaga, 5Service of Pneumology, Hospital de Galdakao, Bizkaia, 6Service of Pneumology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 7Service of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain Abstract: This paper, developed by consensus of staff physicians of accredited asthma units for the management of severe asthma, presents information on the process and requirements for already-existing asthma units to achieve official accreditation by the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). Three levels of specialized asthma care have been established based on available resources, which include specialized units for highly complex asthma, specialized asthma units, and basic asthma units. Regardless of the level of accreditation obtained, the distinction of “excellence” could be granted when more requirements in the areas of provision of care, technical and human resources, training in asthma, and teaching and research activities were met at each level. The Spanish experience in the process of accreditation of specialized asthma units, particularly for the care of patients with difficult-to-control asthma, may be applicable to other health care settings. Keywords: asthma unit, severe asthma, uncontrolled asthma, asthma treatment 

Keywords

• Asthma unit
• severe asthma
• uncontrolled asthma
• asthma treatment.