Adult Asthma Guidelines

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma:
Expert Panel Report #2 from the National Asthma Education & Prevention Program of the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute 
State-of-the-art clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing and managing asthma incorporating the most recent scientific information available on the care of patients with asthma. Provides information on treating asthma at all severity levels and stresses both clinical and self- management strategies. The guide also provides a comprehensive discussion of current medications and their appropriate use.

JULY 2002:  UPDATED ASTHMA GUIDELINES

Executive Summary of the NAEPP Expert Panel Report: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma—Update on Selected Topics 2002 (Click Updates Page).

Practical Guide for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma 
Emphasizing practical information, the Practical Guide outlines key actions clinicians and patients can take to effectively work together in managing asthma. A variety of implementation aids are provided, including medication dosage charts, glossaries of medication brand names, patient self-assessment forms, and several reproducible patient handouts.  The concise Practical Guide was designed to help the busy primary care clinicians implement the recommendations of the National Asthma Education & Prevention Program's 1997 clinical practice guidelines (Expert Panel Report #2).

Pediatric Asthma Guidelines

Pediatric Asthma: Promoting Best Practices 
A lack of comprehensive, easily referenced information sometimes makes it difficult for providers to make accurate diagnoses or effective management plans. Many general practitioners are encouraged to treat pediatric asthma patients themselves, instead of referring them to asthma specialists. To eliminate these barriers and to enhance pediatric asthma care, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), in partnership with the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, has launched a comprehensive new initiative -- Pediatric Asthma: Promoting Best Practice.  The guidelines are downloadable, but copies can be purchased from AAAAI.

 Health Plan and Health System Guidelines

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of  Massachusetts
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts has its asthma guidelines available by fax-on-demand at 1-888-633-7654.  Select Option #1 and enter ID# 601.  Their medical policy for respiratory devices (spacers and peak flow meters) is available on their website.

Tuft's Breathe Easy Asthma Care Benefit
Tufts Health Plan's Breathe Easy Asthma Care Benefit is designed to help improve the medical management of asthma through assessment of educational needs and the home environment. This benefit focuses on the newly diagnosed, the pediatric member, and those members who find it difficult to control their condition. However, physicians can refer anyone whom they believe will benefit from the intervention.

Baystate Health Systems' Office of Clinical Practices Evaluation & Management Adult and Pediatric Asthma Clinical Practice Guidelines for effective and efficient management of asthma. The large volume of admissions for asthma exacerbations and variations in practice style were the impetus to develop a quality management approach.  The key points for each guideline are listed below:  

» Adult Asthma Clinical Practice Guidelines
» Pediatric Asthma Clinical Practice  Guidelines

Each clinical practice guideline, including physician order sets is available for a $50.00 fee. There is no charge for providers with admitting privileges within the Baystate Health System. To request a copy of complete guideline, send a check or money order made payable to Baystate Medical Center and mailed to:  

Lori Cohen 
Clinical Outcomes Coordinator 
Baystate Medical Center 
OCPEM Porter 5 
759 Chestnut Street 
Springfield, MA  01199 

Please don't forget to include your name, mailing address, telephone number and title of guideline.

Other Resources and Reports of Interest

National Guidelines Clearinghouse
The National Guidelines Clearing- house is a public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. NGC is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in partnership with the  American Medical Association and the American Association of Health Plans.

Pocket Guide for Asthma Management & Prevention
A pocket guide to global strategies for asthma management and prevention. An NHLBI & World Health Organization Workshop Report from the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). To view list of other GINA resources, click GINA Documents & Resources button.

Pediatric Asthma Workgroup New England Managed Care/ Public Health Initiative
The regional office of Health and Human Services has convened managed care and public health leaders from around New England to discuss sharing strategies for disease improvement.  The Pediatric Asthma Workgroup is developing recommendations for sharing guidelines, performance measures, and practice resources.  Contact Sharon Kramer-Gabay at John Snow Institute or call 603-271-6897.  You can also contact Kathryn Angell  at 978-287-4353.

Asthma and the Environment:  A Strategy to Protect Children
This report discusses asthma in children and recommends a strategy to protect children from environmental risk factors that worsen their asthma. Recommendations cover research, programs to improve public health, and addresses disproportionate impacts on the poor and minorities.  Website of Interest :  President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children 

Action Against Asthma:  A Strategic Plan for the Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' special asthma initiative (May 2000) was developed to assess current efforts on asthma and to develop a set of priorities for the future. This strategy identifies the urgent need for research to uncover the causes of the asthma epidemic and develop ways to prevent the disease from occurring. The strategy also describes priority public health actions needed to eliminate the disparities in the burden of asthma and to reduce the impacts on all who suffer with the disease.

Clearing the Air: Asthma & Indoor Air Exposures
The study was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine is a private, nonprofit organization that provides health policy advice under a congressional charter granted to the National Academy of Sciences.  Copies of report are available from the National Academy Press or call (202) 334-3313 / 1-800-624-6242.