Preventing Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations for Asthma by Use of Oral Corticosteroids at Home: Are We Adhering to National Guidelines?

Background: Oral corticosteroids (OCS) in the home management of asthma exacerbations have been recommended in the NIH/NHLBI guidelines since 1991. As a routine component of written action plans, OCS treatment at home is associated with reduced emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations as well as decreased mortality. Methods: A literature search of English language journals from 1991 to 2009 was performed using several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS. We assessed studies that evaluated adherence to national guidelines for home management of asthma exacerbations. Results: Our review of the literature found that several studies reveal that a small percentage (<3–26%) of patients are receiving OCS at home to manage asthma exacerbations prior to an ED visit. Additional studies were found showing very low use of written action plans, strongly suggesting lack of OCS for home management of asthma exacerbations. Conclusions: Despite evidence of reduced ED visits and hospitalizations an...