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Nurse-Initiated Treatment Reduces Costs For Acute Asthma In A Pediatric Emergency Department, Michael D. Johnson Md, Ms, Minkyoung Yoo Phd, Richard E. Nelson Phd, Amanda K. Nielson Md, Lauren Allen Mas, Nanette Dudley Md, Brandon Andersen Rrt, Amanda Orme Dnp, Cpnp-Ac, Cameron Mcfarland Np-C, Michael Mundorff Mba, Mhsa

Journal of Nursing & Interprofessional Leadership in Quality & Safety

Standardized emergency department (ED) pathways can improve care delivery to children with acute asthma, though their impact on hospitalization and costs is unclear. An Acute Asthma Care Pathway (AACP) that facilitates nurse initiation of treatment was implemented at a tertiary care pediatric ED using standard quality improvement methodology. The impact of implementation was assessed using process control methodology and multivariable time series analyses between pre- and post-implementation periods. Provision of a steroid within 30 minutes and 60 minutes of arrival increased by 21 and 22 percentage points respectively, IV magnesium sulfate administration increased by 30 percentage points, the proportion hospitalized …