Vermont Asthma Program: Tools for Managing Asthma
Written Asthma Management (Action) Plans
If you or your child has asthma, call your doctor and get a written asthma management plan. In Vermont, it is called the Vermont Asthma Action Plan, and copies are available from the Vermont Department of Health.
The plan should describe exactly what needs to be done to:
- keep you well by taking your medications
- avoid asthma triggers
- recognize and treat asthma episodes.
The doctor will help you understand the information in the Vermont Asthma Action Plan and answer any questions you may have. If the plan is for your child, be sure that you and your doctor both sign it and send the second page to your child's school nurse. Keep the plan where you can find it quickly in an emergency.
More Information about the Vermont Asthma Action Plan
The Vermont Asthma Action Plan is a form that was created by a committe of the Vermont Asthma Advisory Panel, as a first step toward achieving statewide use of written asthma management plans. The asthma action plan form is intended to provide a way to improve asthma care. When a child is involved it provides a tool to improve communication and management of asthma between doctors and the school nurse.
Although it was developed initially to be used with children it can also be used with adults. The Vermont Asthma Program plans to develop and test an adult specific form during 2004-2005.
Samples of the Vermont Asthma Action Plan form (PDF) and the form's back page (PDF) are available to view.
The actual Vermont Asthma Action Plan form is a triplicate copy form with the green, yellow and red zones printed on each page. The physician and parent signatures at the bottom of the page authorize the school nurse or day care provider to exchange information and oversee or administer asthma medications. The first page is intended to be kept by the physician. The second page should be sent to the school nurse (if a child is involved) and the third page given to the patient or parent.
The back of the third page addresses trigger control and medication tips as well as resource contacts. It is designed to aid patient education. A peak flow chart is also provided for those individuals for whom peak flow readings are recommended. The form can be used to manage asthma using either symptoms or peak flow readings.
The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program recommends use of a written plan for all persons who have asthma. To see the 2002 Updated Guideline go to: http://nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/execsumm.pdf (pdf)
For copies of the Vermont Asthma Action Plan form call the Vermont Department of Health Asthma Program at 1-800-439-8550 or 1-802-652-0357.