Role of the Asthma Nurse
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Role of the Asthma Nurse
Asthma is a chronic disease that needs to be monitored regularly; it is very variable and is different for every person. As asthma requires constant management (should visit nurse every 6 months) this would be very time consuming for doctor. The nurses role takes on this responsibility from the Doctor. Since about 1988 an Asthma training centre for nurses was set up allowing for long distance learning where nurses could obtain a diploma relating to the treating and diagnosing of Asthma.
There are set protocols that the asthma nurse follows in treating and diagnosing asthma. Whenever anyone is treated by the doctor for an asthma attack or is admitted to casualty, this information is passed onto the asthma nurse so they can follow it up.
The nurse believes that the increase of asthma in society is likely due to the lifestyle and conditions we live in, double glazing, central heating, carpets etc provide the perfect conditions for the house dust mite that many asthma suffers are allergic to.
The main aim of the asthma nurse is to enable the patient to lead as normal a life as possible by treating them with the minimum dose of inhaled steroids to be effective.
The asthma nurse helps the patient/ parent of the patient to understand the condition and encourage the patient to take on the responsibility to control their asthma. The patient can monitor their asthma using a self management plan...