ALFACARE is a health activation and emotional support program aimed at patients with COPD due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) undergoing treatment with intravenous alpha-1 antitrypsin (AATD).
It is a pioneering program in activating the patient from home
It has been designed to complement usual clinical care and treatment.
The objectives of the program are:
- Decrease adjustment disorders and associated suffering.
- Decrease the probability of anxiety and depression.
- Improve quality of life through social and physical activation.
- Provide a space where being able to talk about what happens to them.
- Facilitate the incorporation and maintenance of healthy habits and adherence to treatments.
Records:
This initiative is based on the “Prolastin Direct” program developed in the United States by Michael Campos with the aim of comparing the clinical and economic results between patients with and without participation in the Prolastin® Direct program (1). This study compares the number of exacerbations, use of healthcare resources, and healthcare costs among the cohort of patients who received only Prolastin® (n = 232) or Prolastin® + Prolastin Direct Program (n = 213).
ALFACARE Spain starts in October 2018 and is developed by a team of Health Psychologists and Respiratory Physiotherapists. These professionals carry out a telephone support that is complemented by face-to-face educational workshops, which will take place in our hospital on Thursday, June 27 (15:30 to 18:00). Eight patients from Almería and Granada with COPD and severe AATD will participate in this workshop together with their families.
In the cohort of patients with Prolastin® + Prolastin Direct Program:
- The severe exacerbation rate was reduced by 36.1%
Decrease in emergency room visits (21%). - Total annual costs adjusted for all causes were 11.4% lower
Adjusted costs for respiratory problems were 10.6% lower - Annual savings in total costs of all causes of US $ 25,529 / patient, largely due to a decrease in the number of hospital admissions, which were also shorter.
These results suggest that comprehensive health management services can improve clinical and economic outcomes in COPD and AATD patients receiving Prolastin® treatment.
Purpose:
A prospective longitudinal study will be carried out throughout Spain (all the workshops being developed) to measure the impact of the program using validated questionnaires on quality of life and emotional well-being, as well as indicators of change in habits and other variables developed ad -hoc.
Impact Evaluation of the ALFACARE program:
General condition of the ALFACARE patient and main identified needs.
- Category 1: Degree of knowledge of the disease and adherence to treatments.
- Category 2: Activation and self-care.
- Category 3: Emotional well-being and mood.
- Category 4: Social and Family Adjustment.
(1) Impact of a Health Management Program on Healthcare Outcomes among Patients on Augmentation Therapy for Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency: An Insurance Claims Analysis. Campos MA, et al. Adv Ther. 2018 Apr;35(4):467-481
