[Survey findings about elucidating the actual condition of asthma treatment in emergency settings. ∼Activity report of "zero asthma death committee in Hyogo"∼].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the actual condition of asthma treatment in emergency settings. METHODS: A questionnaire survey on the situation of emergency care was conducted on 175 medical institutions providing either secondary or tertiary emergency care in Hyogo Prefecture during a 1-year period starting in April 2010. Data were investigated for each secondary medical region. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 143 medical institutions (response rate, 81.7%). Steroid injection, aminophylline injection, and short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) were selected as drugs in emergency room treatment in many districts (in order, means of 86.7%, 79.5%, 72.3%). Concerning drugs prescribed on leaving hospital, transdermal β2 stimulator and SABA were selected in >50% of districts. Prescriptions for long-term management varied among districts, as follows: inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), mean of 37.3% (0-66.7%); ICS/long-acting β-agonists (LABA), 27.9% (16.7-66.7%); and leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), 20.5% (0-50.0%) CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that asthma treatment in emergency settings varies by facility and region.