This section is intended for clinicians caring for children with asthma in a hospital or tertiary care setting. It outlines examples of best practice in the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of children and young people with asthma in an acute setting.
We need to improve asthma identification and access to treatment to improve quality of life for patients. However, diagnosis is difficult as there is no single diagnostic test, but it should be in line with BTS/Sign guidelines.
Sample guides
Quick guide to diagnosis and management – British Thoracic Society (BTS) and SIGN
Clinical assessment of acute asthma for a child aged 2-16 years
Kings College Hospital pro forma and discharge bundle
Sample emergency department admittance form – Whittington NHS Trust
Acute wheeze guideline – Whittington
National Paediatric Asthma Collaborative Secondary care guideline over 2
National Paediatric Asthma Collaborative Secondary care guideline under 2
Asthma guideline for over 5 year olds – Islington
Synacthen guidelines – Whittington Health
Guidelines for transport
Clinical guidelines have also been developed specifically outlining acute service transport systems for severe asthma cases.
Clinical Guidelines: Acute Severe Asthma – The North London Children’s Acute Transport Service (CATS)
Severe asthma guideline – South Thames Retrieval Service
See also the primary and community care assessment and management section