Pulmonary function testing in the emergency department and medications prescribed at discharge: Results of the multinational acute asthma management, burden, and outcomes (MAMBO) study

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate asthma care in the emergency department (ED), including use of pulmonary function testing (PFT) and how patients are treated when discharged. Methods: Internet-based surveys were completed by 298 healthcare practitioners in seven countries on 1078 patients 15-70 years old with an acute asthma exacerbation. Results: Less than 60% of patients received guideline-recommended therapy with a bronchodilator, corticosteroid, and supplemental oxygen. Patients undergoing PFT had significantly more courses of asthma therapy (2.3 vs 1.7; p < 0.001), and received more medications (5.7 vs 3.9; p < 0.001). At discharge, 17.9% of patients did not receive a prescription asthma medication and 12.8% did not receive a physician referral. Men (p<0.022), patients with more severe disease (p<0.0001), and those seen by a pulmonologist (p<0.0001), were more likely to be treated. © 2010 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK.