A pilot evaluation of the Zoned Asthma Action Plan (ZAAP) card

Aims: Developed by a local General Practitioner (GP), the Zoned Asthma Action Plan (ZAAP) card is a self-assessment tool, which has been specifically designed to assist people diagnosed with asthma to assess and manage their own symptoms. In order to evaluate its ease of use and effectiveness in managing symptoms, the ZAAP card was piloted over an 18 month period by two specialist respiratory nurse practitioners with 162 patients within an independent Northamptonshire GP surgery.
Method: During an initial consultation with the nurse practitioner, each participant was fully prepared on how to use the card. In a follow-up consultation an evaluation audit questionnaire was completed to review the effectiveness of the card in assessing and managing symptoms.
Results: 136 of the 156 matched cases rated the participant’s condition within the same zone. 74% of participants rated their asthma level within the safe (green) zone. A higher percentage who had been using the card for a longer period of time indicated that the green zone best described their asthma symptoms.
Conclusion: The findings of the audit questionnaires appear to demonstrate a clear correlation between the patient’s ability to self-assess and manage their own symptoms and the accuracy of the ZAAP card.