The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has reminded the public that due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, there have been changes to the treatment protocol for patients experiencing asthma attacks who visit the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department (AED).
“In accordance with current international guidelines, asthmatic patients presenting to the AED with mild to moderate asthmatic attacks will be treated with bronchodilators via a metered dose inhaler (MDI) and the use of a spacer.
“This treatment protocol is as effective as the use of the nebuliser when treating mild to moderate asthmatic attacks. The objective is to avoid the creation of liquid droplets produced during the nebulisation process which can potentially spread COVID-19 or any other virus to nearby patients and healthcare workers. However, patients who are experiencing severe asthma attacks will continue to be nebulized,” a statement from the QEH noted.
The QEH also reminded patients to bring their personal inhalers and spacers when visiting the Emergency Department. Additionally, “all asthmatics are strongly advised to continue the use of their prescribed maintenance medication as directed by their physician, as doing so can prevent an asthma attack”. (PR)