Introduction: Many patients presenting to Emergency Departments (EDs) with acute asthma have limited or no access to health care providers, medications and preventive resources. This study explored outpatient care gaps among subjects presenting to the ED for acute asthma, before being discharged. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained in a comparative effectiveness trial conducted in six EDs in Alberta (NCT01079000). Data were collected through patient interviews and chart reviews at ED presentation. Two clinician-investigators independently reviewed and adjudicated the following preventive actions: use of spacer devices, written asthma action plans (AAPs) and asthma medication; influenza immunization, cigarette smoking, and referral to asthma education. Agreement between adjudicators was calculated based on kappa (k) statistics. Results: The median age of the study population (n=367) was 28 years and 64% were women. Overall, 26% of patients reported not having a regular family physician. Agreement between reviewers was excellent (k=0.96). More than half (59%) reported not using spacer devices despite being indicated and 3% reported having a written AAP. Following the recommendations of the current asthma guidelines, 38% of the patients required the initiation of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), 11% required the addition of ICS/long-acting β-agonists combination agents and 39% required reinforcement of adherence with preventer medications. Finally, 37% reported receiving influenza vaccination in the past year, 7% had been referred to asthma education in the last 10 years, and 31% were still smoking, suggesting that cessation counselling was indicated. Conclusion: The ED encounter for patients with acute asthma represents a unique opportunity to establish important partnerships across the continuum of asthma care (e.g., link them with a family doctor). This study provided a robust assessment of the outpatient care gaps in this patient population, which identified many areas for targeted interventions. The method of delivery and type of messaging needs further study.