Quality standard

Quality statements

Quality statements

Statement 1 People aged 5 years and over with suspected asthma have objective tests to support diagnosis. [2013, updated 2018]

Statement 2 People aged 5 years and over with asthma discuss and agree a written personalised action plan. [2013, updated 2018]

Statement 3 People with asthma have their asthma control monitored at every asthma review. [2013, updated 2018]

Statement 4 People who receive treatment in an emergency care setting for an asthma attack are followed up by their general practice within 2 working days of discharge. [2013, updated 2018]

Statement 5 People with suspected severe asthma are referred to a specialist multidisciplinary severe asthma service. [2013, updated 2018]

In 2018, this quality standard was updated and statements prioritised in 2013 were updated (2013, updated 2018). For more information, see update information.

Statements from the 2013 quality standard for asthma that are still supported by the evidence may still be useful at a local level:

  • Adults with new onset asthma are assessed for occupational causes.

  • People with asthma are given specific training and assessment in inhaler technique before starting any new inhaler treatment.

  • People with asthma receive a structured review at least annually.

  • People with asthma who present with an exacerbation of their symptoms receive an objective measurement of severity at the time of presentation.

  • People aged 5 years or older presenting to a healthcare professional with a severe or life-threatening acute exacerbation of asthma receive oral or intravenous steroids within 1 hour of presentation.

  • People admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of asthma have a structured review by a member of a specialist respiratory team before discharge.

The 2013 quality standard for asthma is available as a pdf.