Asthma, Diagnosis and Management of

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Asthma, Diagnosis and Management of (Guideline)

Released 06/2010
Asthma, Admission for (Order Set)

Scope and Target Population:
This guideline addresses the diagnosis, emergent, inpatient and outpatient management of acute and chronic asthma in all patients over five years of age who present with asthma-like symptoms or have been diagnosed with asthma.

Clinical Highlights and Recommendations:
  • Conduct interval evaluations of asthma including medical history and physical examination, assessment of asthma triggers and allergens, measurement of pulmonary function, and consideration of consultation and/or allergy testing.
  • Assess control using objective measures and a validated asthma control tool. 
  • Match therapy with asthma control.
  • Provide asthma education to patients and parents of pediatric patients. Education should include basic facts about asthma, how medications work, inhaler technique, a written action plan including home peak flow rate monitoring or a symptom diary, environmental control measures, and emphasis on the need for regular follow-up visits.
  • Patients should receive appropriate follow-up as per Diagnosis and Management of Asthma guideline.
Priority Aims:
  1. Promote the accurate assessment of asthma severity and control through the use of objective measures of lung function and symptoms.
  2. Promote long-term control of persistent asthma through the use of inhaled corticosteroid drug therapy.
  3. Promote the partnership of patients with asthma and/or their parents with health care professionals through education and the use of written action plans.
  4. Improve the timely and accurate assessment of patients presenting with an asthma exacerbation.
  5. Improve the treatment and management of ER and inpatient asthma.
  6. Schedule follow-up visits to ensure asthma control is maintained and appropriate therapy is administered.

Additional Background:
This guideline closely follows the recommendations of the: National Asthma Education Program Expert Panel Report 2, Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. NIH Publication No. 97-4051. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service/National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Updated: 6/30/2010

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