Evaluation and management of acute asthma

• Published in: The Medical clinics of North America Vol. 67; no. 3; p. 669
• Main Authors: Hiller, F C, Wilson, Jr, F J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1983
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Asthma - diagnosis; Asthma - therapy; Blood Gas Analysis; Critical Care; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Humans; Medical History Taking; Patient Admission; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - therapy; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Therapy
• ISSN: 0025-7125
• DOI: 10.1016/S0025-7125(16)31196-8

Successful management of asthma requires an expectant, aggressive approach to asthma attacks as well as a careful management program to maintain remissions. The patient must recognize when he or she needs help, and the physician must be able to assess the severity of deterioration and provide rapid aggressive care. Failures are usually due to patient or physician error, or both. These relate to failures both outside and inside the hospital. Once inside the hospital, failure is mainly the responsibility of the physician. It is clear that deaths in the hospital have been associated with inadequate patient observation and monitoring, and treatment that is less aggressive than required. With appropriate patient and physician education and aggressive management, deaths during acute asthma attacks should be rare.