1. PEF is more useful in the monitoring of patients with established asthma, than in making the initial diagnosis3.
Asthma Control Lost: if PEF drops below 80% predicted or personal best 2,3,3.
Asthma Control Lost: if PEF diurnal variation is over 20 % over 1 week1
1. PEF measurement may be preformed sitting or standing3.
2. PEF measurement is preformed before the quick relief inhaler (FABD)
3. Further blows should be done if the largest 2 PEF are not within 40 l/min3.
4. PEF is the best of 3 forced expiratory blows from maximum inhalation and
with a maximum pause of 2 seconds before blowing3.
5. Record the morning best of 3 PEF measurements as am for each day.
6. Record the evening best of 3 PEF measurements as pm for each day.
Peak Expiratory Flow Facts and Figures.
7. Diurnal variation of PEF1: Measure am & pm PEF for 2 weeks.
Diurnal variation = (highest – lowest)/highest X 100.
Age (years)Adapted by Clement Clark for use with EN 1386/EU scale peak flow meter
From Numm AJ Gregg I, Br Med J 1989:298;1068-70. (see reference 3)
FPAGC
1. Lougheed MD et al; Canadian Thoracic Society 2012; Can Respir J Vol 19 No 2 March/April 2012 . 2. GINA Update 2011. http://www.ginasthma.org/uploads/users/files/GINA_Pocket_April20.pdf.
3. British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A national clinical guideline; Revised January 2012;. 4. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma; NIH Publication Number 08-5846. Oct 2007
Authored / Adapted by Dr. A. Ciavarella MD and Dr. A. Kaplan MD | Asthma Action Plan™ is a trademark of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada
The Asthma Action Plan™ is designed to be used only as a guide for educational purposes and does not replace physician’s advice.

2. Date
Asthma Action Plan™ : Self Assessment Monitor [SAM]
PEFbest/date =
PEFpredicted =
FPAGC
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
3 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
4 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
5 00
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2 00
6 00
Peak Expiratory Flow:
l/ min
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1 00
1. PEF measurement may be preformed sitting or standing3.
2. PEF measurement is preformed before the quick relief inhaler (FABD)
3. Further blows should be done if the largest 2 PEF are not within 40 l/min3.
4. PEF is the best of 3 forced expiratory blows from maximum inhalation and
with a maximum pause of 2 seconds before blowing3.
5. Record the morning best of 3 PEF measurements as am for each day.
6. Record the evening best of 3 PEF measurements as pm for each day.
Peak Expiratory Flow Facts and Figures.
7. Diurnal variation of PEF1: Measure am & pm PEF for 2 weeks.
Diurnal variation = (highest – lowest)/highest X 100
Authored / Adapted by Dr. A. Ciavarella MD and Dr. A. Kaplan MD | Asthma Action Plan™ is a trademark of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada
The Asthma Action Plan™ is designed to be used only as a guide for educational purposes and does not replace physician’s advice.
1. Lougheed MD et al; Canadian Thoracic Society 2012; Can Respir J Vol 19 No 2 March/April 2012 . 2. GINA Update 2011. http://www.ginasthma.org/uploads/users/files/GINA_Pocket_April20.pdf.
3. British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A national clinical guideline; Revised January 2012;. 4. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma; NIH Publication Number 08-5846. Oct 2007
Page __

3. 1. Lougheed MD et al; Canadian Thoracic Society 2012; Can Respir J Vol 19 No 2 March/April 2012
2. GINA Update 2011. http://www.ginasthma.org/uploads/users/files/GINA_Pocket_April20.pdf.
3. British Guideline on the Management of Asthma: A national clinical guideline; Revised January 2012;
Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN). www.brit-thoracic.org.uk .
4. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma; NIH Publication Number 08-5846. Oct 2007
References:
Asthma Guideline References: 1.Canadian Thoracic Society 2012 Guideline update; 2. GINA 2011; 3. SIGN 2012; 4. NAEPP – NIH 2007
Authored / Adapted by Dr. A. Ciavarella MD and Dr. A. Kaplan MD | Asthma Action Plan™ is a trademark of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada
The Asthma Action Plan™ is designed to be used only as a guide for educational purposes and does not replace physician’s advice.
4. Peek Expiratory Flow
Predicted Values and Charting
FPAGC 2014