Improving Asthma Care
Welcome to Improving Asthma Care
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- Introduction
- Personal Asthma Plans
- Consultation Techniques
- Children’s First Aid Plan
- Educational Visual Aids
- Lectures
- Asthma Reviews
- Supporting Resources
Introduction
Over 390,000 people in Scotland have asthma, a long term condition that affects people of all ages and all walks of life. The provision of good asthma care provided by highly motivated individuals eases what many consider to be a burden. Accessing the right care changes lives and makes it possible for people with asthma to live a normal, healthy and active life.
For some, managing asthma is no simple task. It requires the help, support and guidance of a number of individuals. We know that when healthcare professionals work together with people who have asthma and their families, the symptoms of asthma can be managed more effectively.
There is good evidence that the many complications associated with asthma could be reduced by more aggressive management (SIGN 1998, 2004), and Personal Asthma Action Plans have been shown to be an effective tool in improving asthma care by helping people manage their own condition. Personal asthma action plans also provide guidance on what action to take if the person’s asthma symptoms deteriorate.
However, a study led by Asthma UK found that only 16% of people with asthma reported having a written self-management plan, and only 43% of health professionals used such plans (Asthma UK, 2002).
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is working in partnership with the Scottish Executive Health Department, Asthma UK and Education for Health to improve the health and well being of people living with asthma.
One of the aims of this partnership is to make available Personal Asthma Action Plans for adults and children throughout Scotland. The focus of this project is to empower people with asthma to self manage their condition in order to improve their quality of life.
One of the essential elements needed to achieve this has been the provision of accredited, specialist education for healthcare professionals which has been offered throughout Scotland by Education for Health. At the end of this project over 500 nurses will have been trained in the management of asthma, with a specific emphasis on the use and implementation of Personal Asthma Action Plans.
We would like to congratulate you on your achievements whilst taking part in this project and thank you for your continued dedication and commitment shown throughout your studies.
This unique CD has been developed to provide an ongoing learning resource to complement and reinforce your training. It has been designed specifically for you to take away and use, in conjunction with the newly created web page to which there is a live link.
When you explore the contents of Improving Asthma Care you will discover sections which include:
- Making the most of Asthma Reviews
- Consultation skills and how to improve concordance
- Tips on how to complete a personal asthma action plan
- Inhaler techniques…..and much, much more.
We would like to thank all those who have contributed to make this CD such a valuable learning tool.
The group has worked hard together to ensure that the overall aim of this project is achieved and asthma care across Scotland is improved as a result. Special thanks must go to Janette Barrie, Practice Development Project Co-ordinator, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland for keeping the project on time and to the superb group of Education for Health trainers from Scotland.
The Education for Health team are very proud to have been involved in this partnership and would like to wish you all the very best in the future.
Personal Asthma Plans
The Personal Asthma Action Plan is intended for use by people with asthma aged 12 and over.
You should fill this in with them so that they have written information about what actions to take when their symptoms get better or worse.
It also includes information about what to do during an asthma attack. This should be given to most people with regular symptoms, or who are at risk of attacks.
View Self Management Materials at asthma.org.uk
Consultation Techniques
Children’s First Aid Plan
The Children's First Aid Action Plan is available in Scotland only.
For health professionals working in England, Wales and Northern Ireland please call:
08456 038143
to discuss resources available in your area.
The first aid plan is intended for carers, parents, children and young people and its purpose is for children with asthma and those around them to know what to do during an asthma attack.
The card provides asthma information, instructions on what to do during an asthma attack and a tear-off asthma attack card for children and young people to carry around with them. This does not replace a personal asthma action plan or medical advice and it is for use in a non-clinical setting by carers, parents, community groups and where children are in situations away from their principal carer.
View information for parents at asthma.org.uk
Educational Visual Aids
These tactile visual aids are an ideal tool for healthcare professionals to demonstrate to patients the difference between a normal breathing tube and an asthmatic breathing tube. Especially useful in consultations with the elderly, the very young or with patients where language may be a barrier.
Breathing Tubes are available in sets from Education for Health
To receive free copies of the BJPCN register online at www.bjpcn.com
Lectures
- Inhaler Device Selection - There are a bewildering variety of inhaler devices available to treat respiratory disease. As health professionals we are now spoilt for choice and the selection of a suitable inhaler can be daunting and difficult
- Working with Children - Spending time with children with asthma and their families, talking about asthma and then helping them to choose and know how to use the most appropriate inhaler device for their medications can make an enormous difference
- Inhaler Devices for Children - There are currently a huge number of aerosol drug delivery devices available for the delivery of anti-asthma therapy
View these inhaler lectures in more detail...
Asthma Reviews
Making the most of your Asthma Review outlines what people with asthma can expect to happen at their asthma review and gives them examples of questions they might be asked. Send this Asthma Review Card to people with asthma when reminding them about their next asthma review.
Please refer to how to use the ‘Be in Control’ materials
The card also supports best practice in asthma care: BTS/SIGN guidelines and the GMS Contract 2004.
View the ‘Be in Control’ section at asthma.org.uk
Supporting Resources
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland has created a unique web landing page to keep members of the project updated on developments in improving the health and well-being of people with asthma.
Recommended reading:
Simply Devices: A practical handbook for health professionals involved in managing patients with respiratory diseases who need to use inhaled, nebulised or nasal therapies. This handbook provides comprehensive information on the majority of devices in relation to the disease areas of asthma, COPD and rhinitis.
Education for Health (2006): Simply Devices ISBN: 0 952 0875 3 7 |
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