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Association between evidence-based standardized protocols in emergency departments with childhood asthma outcomes: a

Patricia Li1, Teresa To, Patricia C Parkin

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|July 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Evidence-based standardized protocols (EBSPs) for childhood asthma in emergency departments did not reduce hospital admissions or return visits. Further research is needed to link asthma care processes with improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Respiratory Health
  • Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

  • Standardized protocols are increasingly used in healthcare to improve patient outcomes.
  • Evidence-based standardized protocols (EBSPs) aim to standardize care for conditions like childhood asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of EBSPs on hospital admission rates, emergency department (ED) return visits, and outpatient follow-up for children with asthma in Ontario, Canada.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective population-based cohort study involving 146 emergency departments in Ontario.
  • Analysis of 31,138 children (aged 2-17 years) with asthma treated between April 2006 and March 2009.
  • Multivariable logistic regression used to compare outcomes between children treated with EBSPs, other standardized protocols, or no protocols.

Main Results:

  • The study analyzed 46,510 ED visits for childhood asthma.
  • Evidence-based standardized protocols (EBSPs) were not associated with significant differences in hospital admissions (aOR 1.17), 7-day ED return visits (aOR 1.10), or 7-day outpatient follow-up (aOR 1.08).

Conclusions:

  • The implementation of EBSPs in emergency departments for childhood asthma did not lead to improved rates of hospital admission, ED return visits, or follow-up.
  • Findings highlight a need to identify and address the disconnect between asthma care processes and clinical outcomes.
Abstract

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