PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - S M Robinson AU - B D Harrison AU - M A Lambert TI - Effect of a preprinted form on the management of acute asthma in an accident and emergency department. AID - 10.1136/emj.13.2.93 DP - 1996 Mar 01 TA - Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine PG - 93--97 VI - 13 IP - 2 4099 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/13/2/93.short 4100 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/13/2/93.full SO - Arch Emerg Med1996 Mar 01; 13 AB - OBJECTIVE--To assess the effect of a preprinted form on the documentation of clinical data and compliance with the national guidelines for the management of asthma. METHODS--Prospective audit six months before and after introduction of the form. RESULTS--Use of the form improved the documentation of past asthma history (69% v 93%, P < 0.001), current treatment (81% v 95%, P < 0.01), predicted peak flow (23% v 75%, P < 0.001), per cent predicted peak flow (1% v 62%, P < 0.001), and respiratory rate (81% v 95%, P = 0.007). Compliance with the British recommendations for treatment improved with use of the form (50% v 89%, P < 0.001) The prescription of steroids on discharge did not improve significantly (26% v 44%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--The preprinted form resulted in enhanced documentation of data and conformity with current guidelines for the management of asthma.