Assessment of asthma management

Assessment of asthma management — referral criteria for Respiratory services.

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed assessment of asthma management with initial primary-care work-up completed

Red flags

Indicate urgent (Category 1) referral or emergency assessment.

Life threatening asthma, including thunderstorm asthma (after initial emergency management)

Severe asthma, including thunderstorm asthma, if symptoms have not resolved after initial emergency management

Oxygen saturation less than 90 per cent

Soft or absent breath sounds, cyanosis, or poor respiratory effort

Bradycardia or hypotension

Exhaustion, confusion, or coma

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Previously diagnosed asthma that requires further advice on, or review of, the current management plan or management of treatment related adverse effects (e.g. recent emergency treatment or hospital admission, frequent use of oral corticosteroids, prolonged…

Asthma with clinical or spirometry features suggestive of an alternative or additional diagnosis

Asthma caused or exacerbated by workplace exposure that is impacting on the person’s ability to work

Usually managed in primary care

Stable asthma that is controlled with the current management plan.