Acute inpatient care of status asthmaticus.

The hospital management of status asthmaticus includes aggressive use of a limited armamentarium of medications. Understanding the appropriate use of available medications is key. Proper assessment of the severity of an acute episode and response to applied therapies is essential for optimum outcomes without undue delays in treatment and excessive costs. Ensuring that all patients discharged from the hospital receive an individualized treatment plan for the management of chronic stable, worsening, and acute asthma can help prevent future hospitalizations.