respiratory care Resources

The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) (Royal College of Physicians [RCP], 2014) identified many shortcomings in the way that asthma care is delivered, citing preventable factors in 90% of asthma deaths. Among deaths in children, poor recognition of risk of adverse outcome was found to be an important avoidable factor in 70% of deaths in primary care, rising to 83% in young people (RCP, 2014). The challenges of the pandemic over the past 18 months have arguably compounded the difficulties in providing good asthma care, with asthma reviews necessarily being managed in different ways, largely undertaken remotely. To further prevent avoidable deaths, it is important that primary care nurses are confident and competent in undertaking remote asthma reviews so that risks of adverse outcome are identified and effectively managed. As highlighted by the NRAD, parents/carers and children should be taught ‘how’, ‘why’ and ‘when’ to use their asthma medication, be able to recognise when asthma is not controlled, and know when to seek emergency help. This article gives a structured approach to undertaking a remote asthma review with children so that good asthma control and better outcomes can be achieved.

Stephen Gaduzo explains how the PCRS-UK can help you deliver high value patient-centred care and support professional development.

Nurse revalidation is now likely to start in less than six months’ time and it has never been more important for general practice nurses (GPNs) to ensure that their skills and knowledge are up to date.