Paediatric asthma tackled to reduce emergency admissions

29 August 2012

Learning from the Local Asthma Impact Project in Yorkshire and Humber will also be used to inform the forthcoming Guide to Good Practice for Children and Young People to be published by the Department of Health.

The summary results of the project have been welcomed by Education for Health, which runs a specific Paediatric Asthma workshop for healthcare professionals, as well as asthma diploma and degree modules which include education on diagnosing asthma in all age groups.

Key findings from the project included:

• Use of self-management plans rising from 22.6% to 86.2% in some areas
• Use of the Asthma Control Test rising from nil to 71% in some areas

Recommendations included:

• School holidays being targeted for review appointments
• Children with a recent admission or emergency department attendance being followed up in 48 hours and a review within 2 weeks of discharge
• Annual school asthma assemblies and working towards achievement of asthma friendly school status.

Education for Health's Paediatric Asthma workshop, aimed at school nurses, health visitors and new practice nurses, emphasises recognition and management of acute symptoms and the management of asthma in schools and early years' settings. The workshop also gives an insight into our more advanced asthma diploma and asthma degree level modules.

In addition, a half day Asthma Update workshop brings trained professionals up to date on the latest guidance and specifically includes interactive participation exploring both paediatric and adult case histories.

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