Quality Statement:
Adults and Children > 6 years old clinically suspected of having asthma should complete spirometry to demonstrate reversible airflow obstruction. If negative, other lung function tests should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis of asthma as soon as possible. Children aged 1 to 5 are diagnosed with asthma after documentation of signs or symptoms of airflow obstruction, reversibility of symptoms with asthma medications, and no clinical suspicion of an alternative diagnosis.
Please see Ontario Health’s Quality Statement on Asthma Diagnosis.
LHF Tools:
Description: The Asthma Care Map for Primary Care: Follow-Up Assessment is a guide for a comprehensive assessment of asthma that clinicians can use to guide their follow-up visits with patients.
Description: The Asthma Care Map for Primary Care: Initial Assessment is a guide for a comprehensive assessment of asthma that clinicians can use to guide their initial visits with patients.
External Tools:
Description: The Choosing Wisely Spirometry Campaign has produced multiple assets or resources or self-management of asthma. It includes a patient pamphlet on asthma, a patient pamphlet on COPD, and informative resources on lung function testing. All tools are available in English and French.
Description: The Provider Asthma Assessment Form (PAAF) is a point of care asthma management tool for primary care EMRs. It is adapted from the LHF asthma care map and includes the PRESTINE asthma data elements, asthma performance indicators, and an algorithm to identify severe uncontrolled asthma. To date, it is implemented in OSCAR at the Queen's Family Health Team.
Access Instructions: Accessible online through this link Downloadable package to be integrated with EMRs available through registration on AsthmaLife
Description: The Work-related Asthma Screening Questionnaire - Long Version (WRASQ(L)™) is a work-related screening questionnaire for use in primary care. The WRASQ(L)™ includes several items from the LHF Asthma Care Map, plus additional symptom questions, current and past occupations and exposures, and the use of personal protective equipment. The WRASQ(L)™ is available on AsthmaLife®.
Access Instructions: Downloadable PDF available here Downloadable PDF available through registration on AsthmaLife
Description: The Adrenal Suppression in Pediatric Asthma tool is a resource that provides clinicians with information on adrenal suppression, with a focus on medication such as inhaled corticosteroids, screening and diagnosis, and prevention and recognition.
Description: The Modified Asthma Predictive Index is an assessment tool that predicts future atopic asthma in pediatric patients with recurrent wheezing. It is only applicable in young children with four or more episodes of wheezing per year. The mAPI's predictive ability depends heavily on prevalence of asthma in the general population.