Assessing asthma
Assessment should be carried out by:
- An asthma nurse.
- GP.
- Hospital doctor or nurse in an asthma clinic.
They can provide an personalised asthma action plan (PAAP) which is discussed with the patient. The asthma plan can show how to increase and decrease medicines to manage symptoms and what to do in an emergency.
BTS/SIGN Asthma guideline 2016 recommends:
- All people with asthma (and/or their parents or carers) should be offered self-management education which should include a written personalised asthma action plan and be supported by regular professional review.
- Prior to discharge, inpatients should receive written personalised asthma action plans, given by healthcare professionals with expertise in providing asthma education.
