Inadequate Follow-up Controller Medications Among Patients With Asthma Who Visit the Emergency Department

Primary care physicians infrequently add controller medications (inhaled corticosteroids) at follow-up to the regimen of asthmatic patients after a visit to the ED. Emergency physicians should be encouraged to evaluate chronic asthma burden among patients presenting with exacerbation, educate asthmatic patients, and prescribe controller medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, for those with persistent symptoms.