Canadian respiratory journal : journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of Canadian versus American emergency department visits for acute asthma.
Acute asthma is a common emergency department (ED) presentation in both Canada and the United States. ⋯ Canadian patients with acute asthma have fewer barriers to primary care and are more likely to be on preventive medications, both before the ED visit and following discharge. Admissions rates are higher in the United States; however, relapse after discharge is similar between countries. These findings highlight the influences of preventive practices and heath care systems on ED visits for asthma.