Healthy Beginnings / Reducing Childhood Asthma ED Visits

Reducing Childhood Asthma2022-02-01T15:28:39-08:00

Asthma is the most common childhood health condition1

Nearly 1.5 million children in California have asthma and the condition makes it difficult for this group to exercise, play, and attend school.1

There is evidence that children unable to manage their asthma tend to visit emergency departments (ED) at increased rates. Better management of this chronic disease is critical to reducing ED visits and improving the quality of life for children with asthma.

Indicator Progress

In 2016 (baseline year), there were 75.3 childhood asthma-related ED visits per 10,000 residents. The most recent rate available is 63.4 (2019). We hope to reach a target of 28.0 or lower by 2022.

Note: Due to the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in October 2015, comparisons cannot be made between 2015 (or earlier) and 2016 (or later). The status for this indicator is pending until an ICD-10 trend can be established.

More Data about Childhood Asthma ED Visits

Childhood Asthma ED Visits

Baseline

75.3

Current Rate

63.4

Target

28.0

Indicator Highlights

Data Snapshot: Disparities & Trends

Emergency Department Visits Due to Asthma per 10,000 Children and Adolescents, Over Time

Emergency Department Visits Due to Asthma per 10,000 Children and Adolescents, by Demographic Category

Emergency Department Visits Due to Asthma per 10,000 Children and Adolescents, by County

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Indicator: Emergency department visits, 0-17 years due to asthma per 10,000

Description: The number of ED visits with asthma as the primary diagnosis, among children age 0-17 in California, expressed as a rate per 10,000 residents. Asthma is highly prevalent among California children. ED visits for asthma can often be avoided with proper asthma management. ED visits are costly to the medical system. Data are obtained from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). All non-federal hospitals in California are required to submit ED data to OSHPD on a quarterly basis. These records are estimated to include 98% of all ED visits in California. Limitations include: race/ethnicity data have not been validated; records are visit-based and not person-based; there is a potential for incorrect diagnoses and inconsistent coding.

Data Limitations: The California data are based on the universe of records from all licensed hospitals, as submitted to OSHPD.

Indicator Source: Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)

Indicator Calculation Methodology: (Number of Asthma-related ED visits / Total county or state population) x 10,000

Data Source: The OSHPD ED Database. Notes: Numerator for rates is ED visits with a principal diagnosis using ICD-9 code 493 or ICD-10 codes beginning with J45 (after October 2015). Counts are based on the number of visits, not the number of unique individuals. Denominator for rates is the estimated number of residents based on CA Department of Finance estimates.

Data Collection Methodology:
https://www.oshpd.ca.gov/HID/Data_Request_Center/Data_Documentation.html

Program URL Link: https://californiabreathing.org/

1. Backman, D., Lee, P., & Paciotti, B. (2013). Health Disparities in the Medi-Cal Population. Retrieved November 17, 2015, from www.dhcs.ca.gov: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/dataandstats/Documents/HealthDisparities.pdf

2. California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Investigations Branch. (2014, April). Asthma’s Impact on California. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from californiabreathing.org: https://www.californiabreathing.org/images/asthmas_impact_on_california_fact_sheet_2.pdf

3 & 4. Strategic Plan for Asthma in California 2015-2019. (2015, April). Retrieved November 15, 2015, from californiabreathing.org: https://californiabreathing.org/images/SPAC2014_7-28-15APR.PDF

5. California Department of Public Health – California Environmental Health Tracking Program . (2010, September 29). Asthma: Prevention and Treatment. Retrieved November 15, 2015, from www.ehib.org: https://www.ehib.org/ehib/www.ehib.org/page866d.html?page_key=31

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