Asthma Management: QUM e-Poster for Ben Costello Case Study Analysis

This e-poster presents a case study analysis of a 7-year-old patient named Ben Costello, who suffers from asthma, focusing on the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) principles. The poster, designed for healthcare professionals, details Ben's condition, medications prescribed at the local hospital (Pulmicort Puffs, Airomir Inhaler, Alphamox Suspension, and Oral Prednisolone), and the evolution of QUM in minimizing medication-related harm. The analysis emphasizes the importance of replacing Pulmicort Puffs and Alphamox Suspension with more suitable alternatives, while continuing Airomir and Oral Prednisolone, as well as the importance of non-medicinal approaches such as avoiding exposure to dust and smoke, physical activity, herbal supplements, and breathing exercises. The poster includes references to relevant research and provides practical breathing techniques, such as thoracic expansion exercises and coughing techniques. The e-poster aims to educate and inform health professionals on providing safe, competent, and effective medication therapy for asthma patients, using QUM principles.

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QUALITY USE OF MEDICINES (QUM) FOR ASTHMA
OVERVIEW OF PATIENT
Name: Ben Costello
Age: 7
Lives: Blue Mountains, NSW
Problem: Asthma
Family member: Parent, two sibling
and a pet (Scottish Deerhound –
Zac)
Major cause: Severe asthma
attacks due to exposure of recent
ongoing bush fire
Hospital Admission: 24 hours
MEDICATION LIST PRESCRIBED
BY LOCAL HOSPITAL
Pulmicort Puffs
Airomir Inhaler
Alphamox Suspension 600 mg
tds
Oral prednisolone 40 mg OD
EVOLUTION OF QUM
It has been found that there are
around 2-3 percent hospital
admission due to the harm caused
by medication. The harm or
adverse effect due to the
medication can start from small
illness to even deaths. Thus, QUM
focus on efficient and optimal use
of medicines and other non-
medicinal alternatives (6).
QUM PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO THE
PATIENT
• Replace Pulmicort Puffs as it has
multiple side effects and usually not
prescribe to child.
• Replace Alphamox Suspension 600mg
(It is an antibiotic and generally prescribe
for curing infection led by bacteria) (5)
• Continue the intake of Airomir inhaler
and oral prednisolone (4)
NON-MEDICINAL
APPROACHES
• Avoid exposure to dust and
smoke (1)
• Indulge in physical Activity
• Include supplement from
organic herbs (2)
• Practice Yoga
• Breathing exercise (such as
thorax expansion exercise) (3).
BREATHING
CONTROL
THORACIC EXPANSION
EXERCISE
(3-5 BREATHS)
COUGHING (COUGH
OUT SECRETION)
FORCED EXPIRATION
TECHNIQUE (HUFF –
MEDIUM)
STEPS OF BREATHING
TECHNIQUES

REFERENCES
1. Bamai, Y. A., Shibata, E., Saito, I., Araki, A., Kanazawa, A., Morimoto, K., ... & Chikara, H.
(2014). Exposure to house dust phthalates in relation to asthma and allergies in both
children and adults. Science of the total environment, 485, 153-163.
2. Clarke, R., Lundy, F. T., & McGarvey, L. (2015). Herbal treatment in asthma and COPD–current
evidence. Clinical Phytoscience, 1(1), 1-7.
3. Karam, M., Kaur, B. P., & Baptist, A. P. (2017). A modified breathing exercise program for
asthma is easy to perform and effective. Journal of Asthma, 54(2), 217-222.
4. Marsh, V., 2018. Effective asthma management. Nurse Prescribing, 16(9), pp.444-449.
5. Reynolds, E. C. (2015). U.S. Patent No. 9,125,853. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
6. Www2.health.vic.gov.au. (2020). Quality use of medicines Victoria. Retrieved 31 March 2020,
from
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/hospitals-and-health-services/quality-safety-service/quality
-use-of-medicines