Medical staff accused of failing to take simple steps to cut asthma death toll
ASTHMA patients are dying needlessly because medical staff are failing to take simple steps to save lives, writes Lucy Johnston.
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A new campaign is being launched next week by British Thoracic Society, which represents respiratory specialists, and the charity Asthma UK to make doctors and nurses aware of the measures needed to reduce the death toll.
The campaign highlights figures showing almost 200 people, including children, die from an asthma attack every year.
Experts say death could have been prevented in up to 90 per cent of cases.
These are shocking numbers and we urgently need to address this
Dr John White, consultant respiratory physician at York, said: “These are shocking numbers and we urgently need to address this.”
Five key actions include measures to reduce and manage attacks, such as an assessment of inhaler technique and medication review, plus ensuring regular visits to the GP and hospital.
Medical staff have been accused of failing to take simple steps which could save lives
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Five key actions to reduce the death toll were highlighted
They should also make clear what to do in an asthma attack.
One in 12 adults has asthma and 10 per cent of deaths are within one month of hospital discharge.
Almost 200 people die from asthma every year