Boosting Referrals to Asthma Specialists for Patients Seen at the Emergency Room for an Asthma Exacerbation

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Asthma diagnosis ≥1 year * Seen in ER for asthma exacerbation * Persistent asthma on controller therapy * ≥1 asthma exacerbation in prior year We will allow for current smokers, vapers and cannabis users as long as they have not been diagnosed with COPD and have a smoking history \<10 pack-years. We will allow for COPD as long as they are: 1. never smokers/vapers/cannabis users; or 2. former or current smokers/vapers/cannabis users with normal pulmonary function tests (PFT; FEV1/FVC ratio of \>70%) within 12 months of enrollment and a smoking history \<10 pack-years; or 3. current or former smoker/vapers/cannabis users with obstruction on PFTs (FEV1/FVC ratio of \<70%) but who demonstrate BOTH \>10% acute bronchodilator reversibility AND a normal diffusing capacity both within 12 months of enrollment (stricter criteria than those used in the PREPARE trial (15) and a smoking history \<10 pack-years. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who have seen an asthma specialist (allergist or pulmonologist) for asthma in the past 2 years * Diagnosis of other pulmonary diseases (e.g., COPD, interstitial lung disease, etc.)