STUDY DESIGN
Randomisation took place at the time of
discharge using computer generated numerical
codes in blocks of 10, held in sealed envelopes,
which were opened after consent had been
obtained. Basic information was recorded and
consent for the data collection aspects of the
study was obtained before children were
randomly assigned either to a control group,
when they received standard care from ward
staff, or to an intervention group, when they
received a structured discharge package from
the main investigator—a trained children’s
asthma nurse (LJW). Standard discharge care
was variable and dependent on factors such as
availability of parents, enthusiasm, and experience
of medical and nursing staff and, of
course, time constraints. Some children received
written information, some verbal information,
some received an inhaler demonstration,
but few received a written home
management plan.