Developing and testing a self medication protocol in the acute environment.

This study aimed to develop and test strategies, and demonstrate the feasibility and desirability of a self-medication program in an acute care hospital setting. Ten patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of their asthma were recruited to test the protocol. Although the use of the protocol was more time-consuming than the previous nurse administered process, patients and staff found it worthwhile. The outcome of the study is a protocol that could be used with a larger sample of patients, in the acute environment.