Table 1 Patient criteria for referral to a specialist (1–6)
No. | Statement | Agreement (%) |
|---|---|---|
1 | Patients who have used 2 or more courses of OCS and/or is using maintenance OCS therapy over the past 12 months despite adherence to high dose ICS/LABA therapy should be referred to a specialist | 99 |
2 | Patients who have had 1 or more emergency attendances /unscheduled visits due to asthma over the past 12 months despite adherence to high dose ICS/LABA therapy should be referred to a specialist | 98 |
3 | Patients who have ever been intubated or admitted to an ICU (intensive care unit) or high dependency unit despite adherence to high dose ICS/LABA therapy due to their asthma should be referred to a specialist | 99 |
4 | Patients who have used 3 or more SABA (short-acting beta2-agonist) inhalers in the past 12 months despite adherence to ICS therapy should be referred to a specialist | 79 |
5 | Patients with asthma who remain uncontrolled despite adherence to high dose ICS/LABA should be referred to a specialist | 97 |
6 | Health systems (including GPs, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals) across Canada should proactively case-find patients who meet criteria and flag for referral to a specialist OR severe asthma service | 92 |