Asthma FeNO – PROJECT CLOSED
Please note this project has now completed. The information on this page was accurate on closure of the project but will not be updated further. If you have any questions please contact opportunities@healthinnovationwm.org
This project completed in March 2023
What is FeNO?
FeNO stands for ‘fractional exhaled nitric oxide’. A FeNO test measures the levels of nitric oxide when you breathe out. Nitric oxide is produced in your lungs when your airways are inflamed because you are allergic to something you have breathed in. There are two areas in which asthma is the focus this year for the Accelerated Access Collaborate and its associated support of rapid uptake products (RUPs).
Why is FeNO required?
Over 5.4 million people in the UK suffer from asthma. The NHS spends £1.1 billion on asthma treatment and management annually, with 90% of this cost going directly on asthma medication, including the high prescription of steroid inhalers. It’s suspected that 30% of patients currently diagnosed with asthma have been misdiagnosed.
What impact does FeNO have?
The FeNO test works by measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (‘FeNO’) in the breath of patients, and providing a score. Nitric oxide is a biomarker for asthma, which provides an indication of the level of inflammation in the lungs. This can improve patient care and outcomes by:
- More accurate and effective diagnosis of patients suspected of having asthma
- Better understanding of an individual patient’s condition in relation to their FeNO score
- Adjusting doses of steroids or guide biological agents treatment
- Asthma FeNO is one of four pathways and innovations being supported through the 2020-2022 RUP Programme
Publications
Read about how FeNO testing benefits patients in NHE magazine: FeNO testing: Changing the lives of patients one breath at a time.
Health Innovation West Midlands (HIWM) FeNO Learning Collaborative Event
HIWM hosted a West Midlands FeNO Learning Collaborative Event, which showcased best practice and shared learning of FeNO devices within the region to better support the adoption of FeNO in primary care. The event included respiratory leads and guest speakers offering support and guidance on how to use the FeNO devices, how to adopt FeNO into primary care and practices, as well as showcasing case studies and expected patient outcomes.
Find out more
More information on FeNO testing is available on the Health Innovation Wessex website.
Alternatively, get in touch with a member of the project team below.
If you would like to find out how other primary care providers have included FeNO in the asthma diagnosis pathway there are some great case studies please click here.
The national FeNO programme closed at the end of March 2023.
Programme leaders:
- Emma Suggett, Associate Director Innovation Development: emma.suggett@healthinnovationwm.org
- Kanwal Umar, Assistant Project Manager: kanwal.umwar@healthinnovationwm.org