Diagnosis | AST012 QOF Requirements

Diagnosis | AST012 QOF Requirements

📋 AST012 QOF Requirements

This section supports accurate recording for the AST012 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicator, which determines whether a patient should be included on the asthma register.

It includes all relevant diagnostic fields, prompts for objective evidence, and alerts if a patient may not meet QOF inclusion criteria.


🧭 When Will I See This?

This component appears when:

  • The patient has a coded asthma diagnosis

  • There is no objective test (spirometry, PEFR, reversibility) recorded in relation to the diagnosis


📋 AST012 QOF Criteria

To meet the indicator, a patient:

  • Must be ≥6 years old

  • Must have a coded diagnosis of asthma on or after 1 April 2025

  • Must have had either:

    • Objective diagnostic testing (different depending on age)

⚠️ Patients added to the register without appropriate testing or medication prescribing will not count toward AST012 achievement.

See the full definition of the requirements in our support article

📋 What To Record



Field
Purpose
Date of DiagnosisAnchor for evaluating if objective evidence was recorded before/after diagnosis
Spirometry/FVC/FEV1Core lung function test result to support diagnosis
Reversibility TestingOptional field to record if a bronchodilator response was assessed
PEFR VariabilityOption to record home or clinic peak flow monitoring
Objective Test ConsideredConfirms whether testing was arranged or clinically appropriate
Medication HistoryCaptures prescriptions before/after diagnosis (≥3 recommended if no objective test)
Exemption or Not Clinically AppropriateDocument why testing was not done or needed

🧠 Why This Matters

  • Ensures asthma diagnoses are based on objective criteria

  • Aligns your coding with current QOF business rules

  • Prevents misclassification and inappropriate QOF register entries


💬 Suggested Questions to Ask

  • "Have you ever had breathing tests like spirometry or peak flow readings?"

  • "Was your asthma diagnosed with a test, or just based on symptoms?"

  • "Would it be helpful to arrange lung function testing now?"


This component ensures you have the right information to determine if a patient should remain on the asthma QOF register and helps safeguard the accuracy of your performance reporting.

    • Related Articles

    • 004B Routine QOF work

      004B Routine QOF work The 004B Routine QOF work search folder is located within population reporting under the 004 GP Contracts Pro folder. The 004 Routine QOF work folder is divided into 7 main folders (shown in the screenshot below), as well as a ...
    • HbA1c Appropriate for Diagnosis (HP063)

      HP063 HbA1c Appropriate for Diagnosis Type: Protocol Overview/Purpose To ensure clinicians consider whether it is appropriate to use an HbA1c blood test for diagnosing diabetes, based on the patient's medical history and conditions that might affect ...
    • Cholesterol QOF Searches

      Primary Care IT provides a full suite of Cholesterol searches designed to support both QOF delivery and safe clinical management. Don't forget, if you want to see information on the QOF requirements for Cholesterol, you can see this in our QOF ...
    • Diabetes QOF Searches

      Primary Care IT provides a full suite of diabetes searches designed to support both QOF delivery and safe clinical management. Don't forget, if you want to see information on the QOF requirements for diabetes, you can see this in our QOF Indicator ...
    • Atrial Fibrillation QOF Searches

      Primary Care IT provides a full suite of atrial fibrillation searches designed to support both QOF delivery and safe clinical management. Don't forget, if you want to see information on the QOF requirements for atrial fibrillation, you can see this ...