Asthma RCH: understanding hospital asthma guidance

RCH may refer to a hospital or health service that publishes asthma information, often with a focus on children and families. It is not a separate type of asthma. Asthma involves sensitive, inflamed airways that can narrow and produce symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness or difficulty breathing.

A hospital handout can support, but does not replace, an individual assessment. Medicine names, doses and action-plan zones must match the prescription for the person using them. A child should not use another family member's inhaler or follow instructions written for someone else.

Keep the current written asthma action plan where caregivers can find it. Check that the reliever inhaler is available, that the device is not empty or expired, and that the spacer fits correctly if one was prescribed. Review inhaler technique with a clinician or pharmacist because poor coordination can prevent medicine from reaching the lungs.

Record night waking, activity limitation, reliever use and likely triggers such as smoke, dust, viral illness or allergens. Arrange a routine review if symptoms are recurring, the plan is unclear or the reliever is needed more often than expected.

Seek emergency help if the person is struggling to breathe, cannot speak comfortably, looks blue or grey around the lips, becomes unusually sleepy or confused, has marked pulling-in of the chest, or is getting worse despite following the emergency steps in their action plan. Do not delay emergency care while searching for online instructions.

Ask which symptoms define the green, yellow and red zones of the personal action plan; whether a spacer is needed; how to recognise an empty inhaler; and who should receive a copy of the plan at school, nursery or home.