Asthma exacerbations. 5: assessment and management of severe asthma in adults in hospital.
It is difficult to understand why there is such a huge discrepancy between the management of severe asthma recommended by evidence-based guidelines and that observed in clinical practice. The recommendations are relatively straightforward and have been widely promoted both in guidelines and reviews. Specialist physicians need to be more proactive in their implementation of such guidelines through the use of locally derived protocols and assessment sheets, reinforced by audit. The common occurrence of severe asthma and its considerable burden to the community would support such an approach.
Aldington
Sarah
S
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, P O Box 10055, Wellington, New Zealand.
Beasley
Richard
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003422:Critical Care; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010100:Oxygen