Discharge - Asthma patient

Make disposition decision

• Discharge – Mild/moderate asthma meeting discharge criteria*

• Ward admission – moderate - severe asthma, asthma with risk factors for poorer outcome

• HDU/ICU referral – severe/life-threatening asthma, those requiring ventilator support

* FEV1> 75% predicted (or best), symptoms no longer significant, patient on reducing amounts of salbutamol no more than 3-4 hourly, ideally daylight hours

Discharging the asthmatic patient from ED

• ECI - ED Asthma Discharge Plan 

  Please use this form to help your patients manage their asthma for the next few days.

Prior to discharge patients should:

• Indicate preparedness and ability to monitor and manage their asthma at home

• Demonstrate appropriate inhaler technique in the ED with the use of a spacer

Understand and be supplied with a written symptom based asthma action plan.

• Have clear written and verbal instructions on when to return to ED during an exacerbation

• Ensure GP follow up within 24-48 hours from discharge

• Be provided with a discharge letter documenting ED care and a home management plan

• Have appropriate discharge medications (and consider a spacer):

  • Prednisolone 37.5-50mg/day for 5 days with regular reviews

  • Regular inhaled preventer

  • Adequate supply of a prn inhaled reliever

• Be offered education on any of the issues above

Further resources

• National Asthma Council Australia - Asthma Action Plan