Steps to Preventing Asthma
An asthma action plan is a written, individualized worksheet that shows patients and caretakers the steps to take to prevent asthma symptoms from getting worse. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program’s Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3 Guidelines) recommend that healthcare providers caring for patients with asthma work with them to develop an asthma action plan.
Asthma Action Plans are an essential part of care provided to patients with asthma that allow the patient and providers together identifying triggers and symptoms to decrease the overall burden for the patient. These plans should be reviewed and refined at every follow-up visit with the patient’s clinician. At the very least, Asthma Action Plans should be reviewed by a patient, their family, and clinician on an annual basis.
The Florida Asthma Coalition recommends using the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology’s Asthma Action Plan Template. The template is also available in Spanish Asma Plan de Acción.
This Home Visiting Informational Packet is also helpful for individuals and caregivers living with Asthma to learn how to take steps to prevent having asthma triggers in your home.
