Though asthma cannot be cured, it can be effectively controlled with existing treatments. Management strategies for acute and chronic asthma often vary substantially within and among medical facilities and practices, often driven by physician preference and familiarity rather than by data. The use of carefully designed care paths can improve quality of care and decrease management costs of acute asthma in both the emergency department and in-patient setting. Using newer beta agonists and attention to proper inhalation delivery systems may also improve outcomes and patient satisfaction. Assessment-driven care paths can be safely and effectively administered by respiratory therapists and nurses. The major controversies in the management of chronic asthma center on what to do for the patient who fails to respond to low or moderate doses of inhaled corticosteroids. The addition of a long-acting beta agonist or a leukotriene receptor antagonist may be beneficial.
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