Name of the Procedure:

Asthma Impairment Assessed (Asthma)

Summary

Asthma impairment assessment is a series of tests and evaluations conducted to understand the severity and impact of asthma on a patient's daily life and lung function. It helps in tailoring a specific treatment plan.

Purpose

The procedure addresses asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways. The goals are to evaluate the impairment caused by asthma, determine the need for adjustments in treatment, and monitor the effectiveness of management strategies.

Indications

• Frequent asthma symptoms or flare-ups
• Inadequate response to current asthma treatment
• Difficulty performing daily or physical activities due to asthma
• Chronic cough or wheezing

Preparation

• Patients may need to avoid using certain asthma medications for a period before the tests.
• No specific fasting is required, but patients should follow any instructions provided by their healthcare provider.
• Baseline spirometry and other pulmonary function tests will be scheduled beforehand.

Procedure Description

1. Spirometry: Patient breathes into a mouthpiece connected to a spirometer to measure lung function.
2. Peak Flow Measurement: Using a peak flow meter, the patient will take deep breaths and blow out as hard and fast as possible.
3. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): Measures levels of nitric oxide in the breath, which can indicate airway inflammation.
4. Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ): Patient completes a questionnaire about symptoms and asthma’s impact on daily life.
5. Peak Flow Diary: Patient keeps a daily record of peak flow readings and symptoms over 1-2 weeks.

No anesthesia or sedation is required.

Duration

The entire assessment may take about 1-2 hours, but it can be spread over multiple sessions if necessary.

Setting

The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient clinic or a specialized respiratory function lab.

Personnel

• Pulmonologist or respiratory specialist
• Nurses or respiratory therapists
• Medical assistants

Risks and Complications

• Minor discomfort or dizziness from performing spirometry tests
• Rare possibility of triggering an asthma attack during testing, which will be managed by medical staff on-site.

Benefits

• Accurate assessment of asthma severity and control
• Personalized treatment plans
• Improved asthma management and quality of life
• Reduction in the frequency and severity of asthma attacks

Recovery

• No recovery time is needed.
• Patients can usually resume normal activities immediately after the assessment.
• Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to review results and adjust treatment plans.

Alternatives

• Self-monitoring of peak flow at home without professional assessment
• Managing symptoms based solely on clinical evaluation and patient history

While these alternatives can be useful, they may not provide as comprehensive an understanding of asthma's impact as a formal assessment.

Patient Experience

Patients may feel minor shortness of breath or fatigue immediately after performing lung function tests. Comfort measures include resting between tests and having water available. Pain is typically not associated with this assessment.