Impact on hospitalization rates as a result of the implementation of a care programme for severe asthma patients in Espirito Santo, Brazil

Methods From 2003 to 2009 the following actions were implemented by the local health system: training of health professionals; creation of a referral outpatient clinic with a multidisciplinary team and free pharmacological services. The number of asthma related hospitalizations was collected in the period from 2002 to 2013 and rates and percentages of hospitalizations were calculated and linear regression model performed to determine the trend over this period of time. Data concerning the dispensing of medications which are included in State List of Exceptional Medicines (budesonide + formoterol 12/400 mcg) and in the State Ordinance 054-R, 12/05/ 2009 (salmeterol + fluticasone 25/125 and 50 / 250, 200 mcg budesonide, montelukast 4, 5 and 10 mg and omalizumab 150 mg) were also evaluated.