Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Mar;31(1):41-47.

The Effect of Clinical Pathway for Children with Asthma Exacerbation in the Emergency Department

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The use of the clinical pathway (CP) for asthma management may ensure appropriate treatment for asthmatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate the effect of the CP on the management of asthma exacerbation in the emergency department (ED) of a hospital in South, Korea. METHOD: The subjects consisted of the patients being children at the ages of 3~15 years presented with asthma exacerbation in the ED. We conducted a retrospective before-after study on the CP under the 2006 GINA guidelines. The CP was implemented in 2008 (post-implementation), whereas the strategy used in 2007 (pre-implementation) was not standardized. RESULT: In 2008, 3 of the 36 patients were hospitalized (8.3%, post-implementation); in 2007, 7 of 53 patients were hospitalized (13.2%, pre-implementation) (P=0.734). According to the results of outpatient observation, continuous wheezing decreased from 12 of 21 patients (57.1%) in 2007 to 7 of 22 patients (31.8%) in 2008 (P=0.043), and the administration of relievers decreased from 9 of 21 patients (42.9%) in 2007 to 4 of 22 patients (18.2%) in 2008 (P=0.038).
CONCLUSION
The CP was successfully implemented in the ED of a hospital in South, Korea and reduced wheezing and the need for relievers in the outpatient clinic.

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Asthma
Child
Critical Pathways
Dietary Sucrose
Emergencies
Humans
Korea
Outpatients
Respiratory Sounds
Retrospective Studies
Dietary Sucrose