Management of acute severe asthma in adults in general practice. Moderate asthma Acute severe asthma Life-threatening asthma INITIAL ASSESSMENT

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1 British guideline on the management of asthma Annex 2 Management of acute severe asthma in adults in general practice Many deaths from asthma are preventable. Delay can be fatal. Factors leading to poor outcome include: Clinical staff failing to assess severity by objective measurement Patients or relatives failing to appreciate severity Under use of corticosteroids Regard each emergency asthma consultation as for acute severe asthma until shown otherwise. Assess and record: Peak expiratory flow (PEF) Symptoms and to self treatment Heart and respiratory rates Oxygen saturation (by pulse oximetry) Caution: Patients with severe or life-threatening attacks may not be distressed and may not have all the abnormalities listed below. The presence of any should alert the doctor. INITIAL ASSESSMENT PEF>50 75% best or predicted PEF 33 50% best or predicted PEF<33% best or predicted FURTHER ASSESSMENT Speech normal Respiration <25 breaths/min Pulse <110 beats/min Can t complete sentences Respiration 25 breaths/min Pulse 110 beats/min, cyanosis or poor respiratory effort Arrhythmia or hypotension Exhaustion, altered consciousness Treat at home or in surgery and ASSESS RESPONSE TO TREATMENT MANAGEMENT Consider admission Arrange immediate bronchodilator: via spacer (give 4 puffs initially and give a further 2 puffs every 2 minutes according to up to maximum of 10 puffs) If PEF >50 75% predicted/best: Nebuliser (preferably oxygen driven) (salbutamol 5 mg) Give prednisolone mg Continue or increase usual treatment If good to first treatment (symptoms improved, respiration and pulse settling and PEF >50%) continue or increase usual treatment and continue prednisolone TREATMENT Oxygen to maintain if available bronchodilator: nebuliser (preferably oxygen driven) (salbutamol 5 mg) or via spacer (give 4 puffs initially and give a further 2 puffs every 2 minutes according to up to maximum of 10 puffs) Prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg If no in acute severe asthma: ADMIT Oxygen to maintain bronchodilator and ipratropium: nebuliser (preferably oxygen driven) (salbutamol 5 mg and ipratropium 0.5mg) or via spacer (give 4 puffs initially and give a further 2 puffs every 2 minutes according to up to maximum of 10 puffs) Prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg immediately Admit to hospital if any: Life-threatening features Features of acute severe asthma present after initial treatment Previous near-fatal asthma Lower threshold for admission if afternoon or evening attack, recent nocturnal symptoms or hospital admission, previous severe attacks, patient unable to assess own condition, or concern over social circumstances If admitting the patient to hospital: Stay with patient until ambulance arrives Send written asssessment and referral details to hospital bronchodilator via oxygen-driven nebuliser in ambulance Follow up after treatment or discharge from hospital: GP review within 2 working days Monitor symptoms and PEF Check inhaler technique Written asthma action plan Modify treatment according to guidelines for chronic persistent asthma Address potentially preventable contributors to admission

2 Annexes Annex 3 Management of acute severe asthma in adults in the emergency department Time PEF >50 75% best or predicted Measure peak expiratory flow and arterial saturations PEF 33 50% best or predicted PEF <33% best or predicted PEF >50 75% best or predicted No features of acute severe asthma Features of severe asthma PEF<50% best or predicted Respiration 25/min Pulse 110 beats/min Cannot complete sentence in one breath, cyanosis, poor respiratory effort Arrhythmia, hypotension Exhaustion, altered consciousness 5 mins mins 60 mins 120 mins Give salbutamol (give 4 puffs initially and give a further 2 puffs, every 2 minutes according to up to maximum of 10 puffs) preferably via spacer Clinically stable AND PEF >75% Clinically stable AND PEF <75% Patient recovering AND PEF >75% Give salbutamol 5 mg by oxygen driven nebuliser No life threatening features AND PEF 50 75% Repeat salbutamol 5 mg nebuliser Give prednisolone mg orally No signs of severe asthma AND PEF 50-75% OBSERVE AND MONITOR heart rate respiratory rate Patient stable AND PEF >50% Life threatening features OR PEF <50% Signs of severe asthma OR PEF <50% Signs of severe asthma OR PEF <50% 680 Obtain senior/icu help now if any life-threatening features are present IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT Oxygen to maintain Salbutamol 5 mg plus ipratropium 0.5 mg via oxygen-driven nebuliser Prednisolone mg orally or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg Measure arterial blood gases Markers of severity: Normal or raised PaCO 2 (PaCO 2>4.6 kpa; 35 mmhg) Severe hypoxia (PaO 2 <8 kpa; 60 mmhg) Low ph (or high H + ) Give/repeat salbutamol 5 mg with ipratropium 0.5 mg by oxygen-driven nebuliser after 15 minutes Consider continuous salbutamol nebuliser 5 10 mg/hr Consider IV magnesium sulphate g over 20 minutes Correct fluid/electrolytes, especially K + disturbances Chest X-ray Repeat ABG ADMIT Patient accompanied by a nurse or doctor at all times Peak Expiratory Flow Rate - Normal Values POTENTIAL DISCHARGE In all patients who received nebulised β 2 s prior to presentation, consider an extended observation period prior to discharge If PEF<50% on presentation, give prednisolone mg/day for 5 days In all patients ensure treatment supply of inhaled steroid and β 2 and check inhaler technique Arrange GP follow up within 2 working days postdischarge Fax or discharge letter to GP Refer to asthma liaison nurse/chest clinic PEF (l/min) EU Scale Height Men 190 cm (75 in) 183 cm (72 in) 175 cm (69 in) 167 cm (66 in) 160 cm (63 in) 360 Height 340 Women 183 cm (72 in) cm (69 in) 167 cm (66 in) cm (63 in) cm (60 in) Age (years) Adapted by Clement Clarke for use with EN13826 / EU scale peak flow meters from Nunn AJ Gregg I, Br Med J 1989:298;

3 British guideline on the management of asthma Annex 4 Management of acute severe asthma in adults in hospital Features of acute severe asthma Peak expiratory flow (PEF) 33 50% of best (use % predicted if recent best unknown) Can t complete sentences in one breath Respiration 25 breaths/min Pulse 110 beats/min Life-threatening features PEF <33% of best or predicted, cyanosis, or feeble respiratory effort Arrhythmia or hypotension Exhaustion, altered consciousness If a patient has any life-threatening feature, measure arterial blood gases. No other investigations are needed for immediate management. Blood gas markers of a life-threatening attack: Normal (4.6 6 kpa, mmhg) PaCO2 Severe hypoxia: PaO2 <8 kpa (60 mmhg) irrespective of treatment with oxygen A low ph (or high H + ) Caution: Patients with severe or lifethreatening attacks may not be distressed and may not have all these abnormalities. The presence of any should alert the doctor. IMMEDIATE TREATMENT Oxygen to maintain Salbutamol 5 mg via an oxygen-driven nebuliser Ipratropium bromide 0.5 mg via an oxygen-driven nebuliser Prednisolone tablets mg or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg No sedatives of any kind Chest X-ray if pneumothorax or consolidation are suspected or patient requires mechanical ventilation IF LIFE-THREATENING FEATURES ARE PRESENT: Discuss with senior clinician and ICU team Consider IV magnesium sulphate g infusion over 20 minutes (unless already given) Give nebulised β 2 more frequently eg salbutamol 5 mg up to every minutes or 10 mg per hour via continuous nebulisation (requires special nebuliser) SUBSEQUENT MANAGEMENT IF PATIENT IS IMPROVING continue: Oxygen to maintain Prednisolone 40 50mg daily or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg 6 hourly Nebulised β 2 and ipratropium 4 6 hourly IF PATIENT NOT IMPROVING AFTER MINUTES: Continue oxygen and steroids Use continuous nebulisation of salbutamol at 5 10 mg/hour if an appropriate nebuliser is available. Otherwise give nebulised salbutamol 5 mg every minutes Continue ipratropium 0.5 mg 4 6 hourly until patient is improving IF PATIENT IS STILL NOT IMPROVING: Discuss patient with senior clinician and ICU team Consider IV magnesium sulphate g over 20 minutes (unless already given) Senior clinician may consider use of IV β 2 or IV aminophylline or progression to mechanical ventilation Near-fatal asthma Raised PaCO2 Requiring mechanical ventilation with raised inflation pressures PEF (l/min) EU Scale Peak Expiratory Flow Rate - Normal Values Height Men 190 cm (75 in) 183 cm (72 in) 175 cm (69 in) 167 cm (66 in) 160 cm (63 in) 360 Height 340 Women 183 cm (72 in) cm (69 in) 167 cm (66 in) cm (63 in) cm (60 in) Age (years) Adapted by Clement Clarke for use with EN13826 / EU scale peak flow meters from Nunn AJ Gregg I, Br Med J 1989:298; MONITORING Repeat measurement of PEF minutes after starting treatment Oximetry: maintain SpO2 > Repeat blood gas measurements within 1 hour of starting treatment if: - initial PaO2 <8 kpa (60 mmhg) unless subsequent >92% or - PaCO2 normal or raised or - patient deteriorates Chart PEF before and after giving β 2 s and at least 4 times daily throughout hospital stay Transfer to ICU accompanied by a doctor prepared to intubate if: Deteriorating PEF, worsening or persisting hypoxia, or hypercapnia Exhaustion, altered consciousness or respiratory arrest DISCHARGE When discharged from hospital, patients should have: Been on discharge medication for hours and have had inhaler technique checked and recorded PEF >75% of best or predicted and PEF diurnal variability <25% unless discharge is agreed with respiratory physician Treatment with oral and inhaled steroids in addition to bronchodilators Own PEF meter and written asthma action plan GP follow up arranged within 2 working days Follow-up appointment in respiratory clinic within 4 weeks Patients with severe asthma (indicated by need for admission) and adverse behavioural or psychosocial features are at risk of further severe or fatal attacks. Determine reason(s) for exacerbation and admission Send details of admission, discharge and potential best PEF to GP

4 Annexes Annex 5 Management of acute asthma in children in general practice Age 2 5 years Age >5 years ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY Able to talk Heart rate 140/min Respiratory rate 40/min Too breathless to talk Heart rate >140/min Respiratory rate >40/min muscles plus any of: Agitation Confusion Able to talk Heart rate 125/min Respiratory rate 30/min PEF 50% best or predicted Too breathless to talk Heart rate >125/min Respiratory rate >30/min muscles PEF 33 50% best or predicted plus any of: Agitation Confusion PEF <33% best or predicted 2 10 puffs via spacer and facemask (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) y ygive one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to Consider oral prednisolone 20 mg Oxygen via face mask 10 puffs of β 2 or nebulised salbutamol 2.5 mg Oral prednisolone 20 mg Assess to treatment 15 mins after β 2 Oxygen via face mask Nebulise every 20 minutes with: - salbutamol 2.5 mg + - ipratropium 0.25 mg Oral prednisolone 20 mg or IV hydrocortisone 50 mg if vomiting 2 10 puffs via spacer and mouthpiece (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing). y ygive one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to. Consider oral prednisolone mg Oxygen via face mask 10 puffs of β 2 or nebulised salbutamol 5 mg Oral prednisolone mg Assess to treatment 15 mins after β 2 Oxygen via face mask Nebulise every 20 minutes with: - salbutamol 5 mg + - ipratropium 0.25 mg Oral prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 100 mg if vomiting IF POOR RESPONSE ARRANGE IF POOR RESPONSE REPEAT β 2 AGONIST AND ARRANGE REPEAT β 2 AGONIST VIA OXYGEN-DRIVEN NEBULISER WHILST ARRANGING IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL IF POOR RESPONSE ARRANGE IF POOR RESPONSE REPEAT β 22 AGONIST AND ARRANGE REPEAT β 2 AGONIST VIA OXYGEN-DRIVEN NEBULISER WHILST ARRANGING IMMEDIATE HOSPITAL GOOD RESPONSE Continue β 2 via spacer or nebuliser, as needed but not exceeding 4 hourly If symptoms are not controlled repeat β 2 and refer to hospital Continue prednisolone for up to 3 days Arrange follow-up clinic visit within 48 hours Consider referral to secondary care asthma clinic if 2nd attack within 12 months. POOR RESPONSE Stay with patient until ambulance arrives Send written assessment and referral details via oxygen-driven nebuliser in ambulance GOOD RESPONSE Continue β 2 via spacer or nebuliser, as needed but not exceeding 4 hourly If symptoms are not controlled repeat β 2 and refer to hospital Continue prednisolone for up to 3 days Arrange follow-up clinic visit within 48 hours Consider referral to secondary care asthma clinic if 2nd attack within 12 months. POOR RESPONSE Stay with patient until ambulance arrives Send written assessment and referral details via oxygen-driven nebuliser in ambulance LOWER THRESHOLD FOR IF: Attack in late afternoon or at night Recent hospital admission or previous severe attack Concern over social circumstances or ability to cope at home NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features LOWER THRESHOLD FOR IF: Attack in late afternoon or at night Recent hospital admission or previous severe attack Concern over social circumstances or ability to cope at home NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features

5 British guideline on the management of asthma Annex 6 Management of acute asthma in children in emergency department Age 2 5 years Age >5 years ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY SpO2 No clinical features of severe asthma NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features Too breathless to talk or eat Heart rate >140/min Respiratory rate >40/min muscles plus any of: Agitation Confusion PEF 50% best or predicted No clinical features of severe asthma NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features PEF 33 50% best or predicted Heart rate >125/min Respiratory rate >30/min plus any of: PEF<33% best or predicted Altered consciousness First line treatments First line treatments y yβ puffs via spacer ± facemask (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) Give one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to Consider oral prednisolone 20 mg Reassess within 1 hour Oxygen via face mask/nasal prongs to achieve 10 puffs via spacer ± facemask or nebulised salbutamol 2.5 mg Oral prednisolone 20 mg or IV hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg if vomiting If poor add 0.25 mg nebulised ipratropium bromide to every nebulised β 2 and ipratropium up to every 20 minutes for 2 hours according to Nebulised β 2 : salbutamol 2.5 mg plus ipratropium bromide 0.25 mg nebulised Repeat bronchodilators every minutes Oral prednisolone 20 mg or IV Hydrocortisone 4 mg/ kg if vomiting Discuss with senior clinician, PICU team or paediatrician y yβ puffs via spacer and mouthpiece (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) Give one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to Oral prednisolone mg Reassess within 1 hour Oxygen via face mask/nasal prongs to achieve 10 puffs via spacer or nebulised salbutamol 5 mg Oral prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg if vomiting If poor add 0.25 mg nebulised ipratropium bromide to every nebulised β 2 and ipratropium up to every 20 minutes for 2 hours according to Nebulised β 2 : salbutamol 5 mg plus ipratropium bromide 0.25 mg nebulised Repeat bronchodilators every minutes Oral prednisolone mg or IV Hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg if vomiting Discuss with senior clinician, PICU team or paediatrician Second line treatments Second line treatments DISCHARGE PLAN Continue β 2 4 hourly as necessary Consider prednisolone 20 mg daily for 3 5 days until symptoms have settled Advise to contact GP if not controlled on above treatment Provide a written asthma action plan Review regular treatment Check inhaler technique Arrange GP follow up within 48 hours Arrange hospital asthma clinic follow up in 4 6 weeks if 2nd or subsequent attack in past 12 months. Consider 2nd line treatments - see Annex 7 Admit all cases if features of severe attack persist after initial treatment Arrange transfer to PICU/HDU if poor to treatment as per local guidelines DISCHARGE PLAN Continue β 2 4 hourly as necessary Consider prednisolone mg daily for 3 5 days until symptoms have settled Seek medical advice if not controlled on above treatment Provide a written asthma action plan Review regular treatment Check inhaler technique Arrange GP follow up within 48 hours Arrange hospital asthma clinic follow up in 4 6 weeks if 2nd or subsequent attack in past 12 months. Consider 2nd line treatments - see Annex 7 Admit all cases if features of severe attack persist after initial treatment Arrange transfer to PICU/HDU if poor to treatment as per local guidelines

6 Annexes Annex 7 Management of acute asthma in children in hospital Age 2 5 years Age >5 years ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY No clinical features of severe asthma NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features Too breathless to talk or eat Heart rate >140/min Respiratory rate >40/min muscles plus any of: Agitation Confusion PEF >50% best or predicted No clinical features of severe asthma NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features PEF 33 50% best or predicted Heart rate >125/min Respiratory rate >30/min muscles plus any of: PEF <33% best or predicted Confusion First-line treatments First-line treatments 2 10 puffs via spacer ± facemask (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) Give one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to Consider oral prednisolone 20 mg Reassess within 1 hour Oxygen via face mask/nasal prongs to achieve 10 puffs via spacer ± facemask or nebulised salbutamol 2.5 mg Oral prednisolone 20 mg or IV hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg if vomiting up to every minutes according to If poor add 0.25 mg nebulised ipratropium bromide to every nebulised β 2 every 20 minutes for 1 2 hours Nebulised β 2 : salbutamol 2.5 mg plus ipratropium bromide 0.25 mg nebulised Repeat bronchodilators every minutes Oral prednisolone 20mg or IV hydrocortisone 4mg/ kg if vomiting Consider adding 150 mg MgSO 4 to each β 2 / ipratropium nebuliser in first hour Discuss with senior clinician, PICU team or paediatrician 2 10 puffs via spacer and mouthpiece (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) Give one puff of β 2 every seconds up to 10 puffs according to Oral prednisolone mg Reassess within 1 hour Oxygen via face mask/nasal prongs to achieve 10 puffs via spacer or nebulised salbutamol 5 mg Oral prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg if vomiting and ipratropium up to every minutes according to If poor add 0.25 mg nebulised ipratropium bromide to every nebulised β 2 every 20 minutes for 1 2 hours Nebulised β 2 : salbutamol 5 mg plus ipratropium bromide 0.25 mg nebulised Repeat bronchodilators every minutes Oral prednisolone mg or IV hydrocortisone 4mg/kg if vomiting Consider adding 150 mg MgSo 4 to each β 2 / ipratropium nebuliser in first hour Discuss with senior clinician, PICU team or paediatrician ASSESS RESPONSE TO TREATMENT Record respiratory rate, heart rate and oxygen saturation every 1-4 hours ASSESS RESPONSE TO TREATMENT Record respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation and PEF/FEV every 1-4 hours Second-line treatments Second-line treatments RESPONDING Continue bronchodilators 1 4 hours as necessary Discharge when stable on 4 hourly treatment Consider prednisolone 20 mg daily for 3 5 days or until symptoms have settled At discharge Ensure stable on 4-hourly inhaled treatment Review the need for regular treatment and the use of inhaled steroids Review inhaler technique Provide a written asthma action plan for treating future attacks Arrange GP follow up within 48 hours Arrange hospital asthma clinic follow up in 4 6 weeks NOT RESPONDING Continue minute nebulisers Consider chest X-ray and blood gases Discuss with senior clinician, paediatrician or PICU Consider admission to HDU/PICU Consider risks and benefits of: Bolus IV infusion of magnesium sulphate 40 mg/kg (max 2g) over 20 minutes Bolus IV salbutamol 15 micrograms/kg if not already given Continuous IV salbutamol infusion 1 5 micrograms/kg/min (200 micrograms/ml solution) IV aminophylline 5 mg/kg loading dose over 20 minutes (omit in those receiving oral theophyllines) followed by continuous infusion 1mg/kg/hour Assess before initiating each new treatment RESPONDING Continue bronchodilators 1 4 hours as necessary Discharge when stable on 4-hourly treatment Consider prednisolone mg daily for 3 5 days or until symptoms have settled At discharge Ensure stable on 4 hourly inhaled treatment Review the need for regular treatment and the use of inhaled steroids Review inhaler technique Provide a written asthma action plan for treating future attacks Arrange GP follow up within 48 hours Arrange hospital asthma clinic follow up in 4 6 weeks NOT RESPONDING Continue minute nebulisers Consider chest X-ray and blood gases Discuss with senior clinician, paediatrician or PICU Consider admission to HDU/PICU Consider risks and benefits of: Bolus IV infusion of magnesium sulphate 40 mg/kg (max 2g) over 20 minutes Bolus IV salbutamol 15 micrograms/kg if not already given Continuous IV salbutamol infusion 1 5 micrograms/kg/min (200 micrograms/ml solution) IV aminophylline 5 mg/kg loading dose over 20 minutes (omit in those receiving oral theophyllines) followed by continuous infusion 1mg/kg/hour Assess before initiating each new treatment

7 British guideline on the management of asthma Annex 8 Management of acute asthma in infants aged <2 years in hospital 1 ASSESS AND RECORD ASTHMA SEVERITY NB: If a patient has signs and symptoms across categories, always treat according to their most severe features Sp0 2 Audible wheezing Using accessory muscles Still feeding Sp0 2 Marked respiratory distress Too breathless to feed Most infants are audibly wheezy with intercostal recession but not distressed Life-threatening features include apnoea, bradycardia and poor respiratory effort First-line treatments Immediate management Oxygen via close-fitting face mask or nasal prongs to achieve normal saturations Give trial of β 2 : salbutamol up to 10 puffs via spacer (given one puff at a time inhaled separately using tidal breathing) and face mask or nebulised salbutamol 2.5 mg Repeat β 2 every 1 4 hours if responding If poor : Add 0.25 mg nebulised ipratropium bromide to each β 2 nebuliser every minutes for 1 2 hours Consider: Oral prednisolone 10 mg daily for up to 3 days Monitoring Continuous close monitoring of: heart rate pulse rate pulse oximetry Supportive nursing care with adequate hydration Consider the need for a chest X-ray Second-line treatments If not responding or has any life-threatening features, discuss with senior paediatriican or PICU team Consider alternative diagnoses Consider second-line treatments as per Annex 7 with extreme caution 1 Management of acute asthma in children under 1 year should be under the direction of a respiratory paediatrician.

8 Annexes Annex 9 WORK-RELATED ASTHMA AND RHINITIS: CASE FINDING AND MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE Non-occupational disease Continue treatment Yes No Has an occupational cause of symptoms been excluded? 1,2 No Do symptoms improve when away from work or deteriorate when at work? Yes High risk work 2 includes: baking pastry making spray painting laboratory animal work healthcare dentalcare food processing welding soldering metalwork woodwork chemical processing textile, plastics and rubber manufacture farming and other jobs with exposure to dusts and fumes ASTHMA RHINITIS Possible work-related asthma Refer quickly to a chest physician or occupational physician 4,5 Arrange serial PEF measurements 6 Yes Has the patient developed asthma? Possible work-related rhinitis Refer to an allergy specialist or occupational physician Monitor for the development of asthma symptoms 3 1. At least 1 in 10 cases of new or reappearance of childhood asthma in adult life are attributable to occupation. 2. Enquire of adult patients with rhinitis or asthma about their job and the materials with which they work. 3. Rhino-conjunctivitis may precede IgE-associated occupational asthma; the risk of developing asthma being highest in the year after the onset of rhinitis. 4. The prognosis of occupational asthma is improved by early identification and early avoidance of further exposure to its cause 5. Confirm a diagnosis supported by objective criteria and not on the basis of a compatible history alone because of the potential implications for employment. 6. Arrange for workers whom you suspect of having work-related asthma to perform serial peak flow measurements at least four times a day. Guidelines for the Identification, Management and Prevention of Occupational Asthma Annex 9

9 British guideline on the management of asthma Annex 10 My asthma triggers Taking my asthma medicine each day will help reduce my reaction to these triggers. Avoiding them where possible will also help. My asthma review I should have at least one routine asthma review every year. I will bring: My action plan to see if it needs updating My inhaler and spacer to check I m using them in the best way Any questions about my asthma and how to cope with it. Next asthma review date: / / GP/asthma nurse contact Name: Phone number: Out-of-hours contact number (ask your GP surgery who to call when they are closed) Name: Phone number: Get more advice & support from Asthma UK: Speak to a specialist asthma nurse about managing your asthma on: Get news, advice and download information packs at: HA Asthma UK registered charity number in England and Wales and in Scotland SCO Last reviewed and updated 2016; next review *Adams et al; Factors associated with hospital admissions and repeat emergency department visits for adults with asthma; Thorax 2000;55: Use it, don t lose it! Your action plan is a personal guide to help you stay on top of your asthma. Once you have created one with your GP or asthma nurse, it can help you stay as well as possible. People who use their action plans are four times less likely to end up in hospital because of their asthma. Your action plan will only work at its best to help keep you healthy if you: Put it somewhere easy for you and your family to find you could try your fridge door, the back of your front door, or your bedside table. Try taking a photo and keeping it on your mobile phone or tablet. Check in with it regularly put a note on your calendar, or a reminder on your mobile to read it through once a month. How are you getting along with your day-to-day asthma medicines? Are you having any asthma symptoms? Are you clear about what to do? Keep a copy near you save a photo on your phone or as your screensaver. Or keep a leaflet in your bag, desk or car glove box. Give a copy of your action plan or share a photo of it with a key family member or friend ask them to read it. Talk to them about your usual asthma symptoms so they can help you notice if they start. Help them know what to do in an emergency. Take it to every healthcare appointment including A&E/consultant. Ask your GP or asthma nurse to update it if any of their advice for you changes. Ask them for tips if you re finding it hard to take your medicines as prescribed. The step-by-step guide that helps you stay on top of your asthma Your asthma action plan Fill this in with your GP or asthma nurse If you use a written asthma action plan you are four times less likely to be admitted to hospital for your asthma.* Name and date: Any asthma questions? Call our friendly helpline nurses (9am 5pm; Mon Fri)

10 Annexes Annex 10 contd. Every day asthma care: My personal best peak flow is: My preventer inhaler (insert name/colour): I need to take my preventer inhaler every day even when I feel well I take puff(s) in the morning and puff(s) at night. My reliever inhaler (insert name/colour): I take my reliever inhaler only if I need to I take puff(s) of my reliever inhaler if any of these things happen: I m wheezing My chest feels tight I m finding it hard to breathe I m coughing. Other medicines I take for my asthma every day: With this daily routine I should expect/aim to have no symptoms. If I haven t had any symptoms or needed my reliever inhaler for at least 12 weeks, ask my GP or asthma nurse to review my medicines in case they can reduce the dose. People People with with allergies allergies need need to to be be extra extra careful careful as as attacks attacks can can be be more more severe. severe. When I feel worse: In an asthma attack: My symptoms are coming back (wheeze, tightness in my chest, feeling breathless, cough) I am waking up at night My symptoms are interfering with my usual day-to-day activities (eg at work, exercising) I am using my reliever inhaler times a week or more My peak flow drops to below My reliever inhaler is not helping or I need it more than every hours I find it difficult to walk or talk I find it difficult to breathe I m wheezing a lot or I have a very tight chest or I m coughing a lot My peak flow is below This is what I can do straight away to get on top of my asthma: 1 If 2 If I haven t been using my preventer inhaler, start using it regularly again or: Increase my preventer inhaler dose to puffs times a day until my symptoms have gone and my peak flow is back to normal Take my reliever inhaler as needed (up to puffs every four hours) URGENT! If I don t improve within 24 hours make an emergency appointment to see my GP or asthma nurse. I have been given prednisolone tablets (steroid tablets) to keep at home: Take mg of prednisolone tablets (which is x 5mg) immediately and again every morning for days or until I am fully better. URGENT! Contact my GP or asthma nurse today and let them know I have started taking steroids and make an appointment to be seen within 24 hours. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY TAKE ACTION NOW Sit up straight don t lie down. Try to keep calm Take one puff of my reliever inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds up to a maximum of 10 puffs A) If I feel worse at any point while I m using my inhaler CALL 999 Ambulance taking longer than 15 minutes? Repeat step B) If I don t feel any better after 10 puffs C) If I feel better: make an urgent same-day appointment with my GP or asthma nurse to get advice If I feel better, and have made my urgent same-day appointment: Check if I ve been given rescue prednisolone tablets If I have these I should take them as prescribed by my doctor or asthma nurse IMPORTANT! This asthma attack information is not designed for people on a SMART or MART medicine plan. If you re on a SMART or MART medicine plan, please speak to your GP or asthma nurse to get the correct asthma attack information.