Florida Asthma Program
Asthma Action Plans
Asthma Action Plans
An asthma action plan is a written, individualized worksheet that shows the
patient and caretakers the steps to take to prevent your asthma from getting
worse. The
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program's
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (EPR-3 Guidelines)
recommend that health care providers caring for patients with asthma work with
them to develop an asthma action plan.
An asthma action plan also provides guidance on when to call the healthcare provider or when to go to the emergency room right away. There are many versions of asthma action plans
available for use (see links below). Regardless of which template is used, health care providers and the patient must work together to ensure the plan includes instructions for both
daily management (long-term control medication, if appropriate, and environmental control measures) and actions to manage worsening asthma (what signs, symptoms, and Peak Expiratory Flow
(PEF) measures (if used) indicate worsening asthma; what medications to take in response; what signs and symptoms indicate the need for immediate medical care).
Written asthma action plans are particularly recommend for patients who have moderate or severe persistent asthma, a history of severe exacerbations, or poorly controlled asthma.
