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Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine logoLink to Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
. 1996 Mar;13(2):93–97. doi: 10.1136/emj.13.2.93

Effect of a preprinted form on the management of acute asthma in an accident and emergency department.

S M Robinson 1, B D Harrison 1, M A Lambert 1
PMCID: PMC1342645  PMID: 8653258

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To assess the effect of a preprinted form on the documentation of clinical data and compliance with the national guidelines for the management of asthma. METHODS--Prospective audit six months before and after introduction of the form. RESULTS--Use of the form improved the documentation of past asthma history (69% v 93%, P < 0.001), current treatment (81% v 95%, P < 0.01), predicted peak flow (23% v 75%, P < 0.001), per cent predicted peak flow (1% v 62%, P < 0.001), and respiratory rate (81% v 95%, P = 0.007). Compliance with the British recommendations for treatment improved with use of the form (50% v 89%, P < 0.001) The prescription of steroids on discharge did not improve significantly (26% v 44%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--The preprinted form resulted in enhanced documentation of data and conformity with current guidelines for the management of asthma.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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