02.02.12
Asthma project to save lives
A new project has been launched to investigate the causes of asthma deaths, with the aim to reduce preventable deaths in the future. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is leading the 12-month National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD).
Three people die from asthma every day in theUK, and over 70% of these deaths are preventable.
Commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, the review will collect details of all asthma deaths in order to improve care for patients. A new test is also being launched to help sufferers assess their risk of severe attacks and take steps to avoid this.
Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “Asthma can be a matter of life or death. That is why the Government is funding this work to help front line professionals improve the management of the condition.”
Dr Mark L Levy, clinical lead of the NRAD, said: “For 50 years, research has shown that the majority of asthma deaths are potentially preventable. This first UK NRAD offers clinicians and sufferers an opportunity to learn from these sad events and find ways of improving care for people with asthma in the future.”
Neil Churchill, chief executive officer at AsthmaUK, said the importance of the review “cannot be under-estimated”.
He continued: “TheUKhas a higher death rate from asthma than other similar countries and we have been unable to reduce numbers significantly in recent years. This review will establish any patterns and risk factors that will help us prevent asthma deaths in the future.
“We’re already working with healthcare professionals in key asthma hotspots such as the North West of England to encourage people to manage their asthma and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. The review is a once in a generation opportunity to achieve a step change in reducing deaths and we urge all healthcare professionals to take part.”
Image c. Ben Dalton
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