New free search to identify asthma patients at higher risk of COVID-19

A new, targeted system search for people with asthma who are considered higher risk patient groups in relation to COVID-19 has been developed.

The search is available now for download and importing into your EMIS GP clinical system, free of charge.

The search has been developed to help practices identify patients that would benefit from a review of their asthma management, particularly in relation to their underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

‘High risk’ asthmatic patients are identified by the search as follows:

1a) Asthma patients with 6+ issues of SABA per year (suggesting poor control)
1b) Asthma patients with 12+ issues of SABA per year (suggesting very poor control)
1c) Asthma patients on LABA but no corresponding issue of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhaler
1d) Asthma patients with 3+ issues of SABA in last 6 months with no corresponding issue of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhaler (review to consider ICS inhaler use)

The search is currently available for EMIS, with a TPP SystmOne version due to be released shortly. 

High risk COPD patient searches are currently in development.

The Asthma Right Care (ARC) Slide Rule is a useful tool that can be used online in patient consultations to demonstrate the link between SABA use and asthma control.