One in four people admitted to hospital because of an asthma attack receive no information about follow-up treatment, a survey has suggested.
The statistic was revealed by charity Asthma UK in August as it published two information booklets to highlight emergency care issues facing people with asthma.
The leaflets, After your asthma attack and After your child’s asthma attack, have been developed to help people who have had an asthma attack avoid unnecessary additional hospital visits.
The charity estimated that one in six asthmatics who have to go to hospital because of an attack need further emergency treatment within two weeks, despite 75% of hospital admissions for asthma being preventable.
Just 35% of asthmatics felt that they would know what to do after an attack, and more than half believed they did not receive enough care following an attack, it found.
Carol White, asthma nurse specialist for Asthma UK, said: “People with asthma need to make a follow-up appointment with their doctor or asthma nurse within 48 hours of an asthma attack, and another one within two weeks to make sure they get their symptoms back under control.”
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The leaflets are available through the charity’s website.
Go to asthma.org.uk
