Table 3.

Key questions to ask at each visit

Key points and questions for each visit
Are disease symptoms controlled?a
Is the patient performing pulmonary physiotherapy?
What is the frequency of exacerbations?
How are we going to treat the next exacerbation (requires recent sputum sample and knowledge of antibiotic allergies/sensitivities)?
Treatment should be based on previous sputum culture
Important to send an additional sputum sample for analysis at the start of an exacerbation
Treat for 14 days
When was last time that sputum was analysed (twice per year is recommended)?2
Positive culture for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly for a new finding, should prompt review and often referral to secondary care
Are there any signs of deterioration?

^aKey symptoms are cough, sputum production and breathlessness