Lessons from the national asthma mortality study: deaths in hospital.

The circumstances surrounding 38 deaths from asthma in hospital in New Zealanders under 70 years of age between August 1981 and July 1983 have been analysed. Twelve deaths did not appear to be preventable, all but one occurring in chronic severe asthmatics despite apparently optimal therapy. Critical delays by patients or relatives in seeking medical help occurred in six cases, and inadequate assessment of severity and undertreatment by medical …