Astma PLan

ACTION ASTHMA PLAN

Why make an asthma plan?
reduces absences from work or school
reduces hospital admissions
reduces emergency visits to general practice
reduces reliever medication use
improves lung function.

AIMS?
The aim of an asthma action plan is to help the person with asthma and/or their carer take early action to prevent or reduce the severity of an asthma attack.
The asthma action plan may be based on symptoms and/or peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements and is individualised according to the pattern of the person’s asthma.
In children, symptom-based plans are preferred.
Once completed, the asthma action plan is given to the person with asthma and/or their carer to keep.

FEATURES OF A PLAN
be in a written format
be individually prescribed, rather than a general example
contain information that allows the patient and/or their carer to recognise exacerbations (flare-ups)
contain information on what action to take in response to those exacerbations.
Maintenance/preventer therapy: doses and frequencies of regular medications
Treating exacerbations: how to adjust treatment in response to particular signs and symptoms
Managing increased severity: when to start oral corticosteroids and seek medical advice
Danger signs: when and how to seek urgent medical help

PEF
This is a measure of maximum expiratory flow occurring just after the start of a forced expiration from the point of maximum inspiration (total lung capacity).
Within the plan should also include changes over time regarding Peak expiratory flow measurements, particularly for those with more severe asthma. PEF is a good measurement of whether the asthma may be getting worse or better, thus measures can be put into place to handle such changes early rather than later.

Ambu