Abstract
Study objective: To determine the effect of a critical pathway on resource utilization in asthmatic patients. Methods: The study combined a prospective analysis of 149 patients with asthma treated by a pathway protocol with a retrospective analysis of 97 patients with asthma treated by conventional means. The setting was a community hospital. Results: Among patients treated by protocol, oxygen use declined by 19% ( P=.001), handheld nebulizer treatments by 33% ( P=.001), saline locks by 15% ( P=.011), and intravenous steroid administration by 13% ( P=.034). There was an increase in the use of metered-dose inhalers with spacer by 64% ( P=.001) and oral steroids by 18% ( P=.027). Conclusion: A critical pathway, based primarily on national guidelines, can be an effective means of treating asthma patients in terms of resource utilization. [Goldberg R, Chan L, Haley P, Harmata-Booth J, Bass G: Critical pathway for the emergency department management of acute asthma: Effect on resource utilization. Ann Emerg Med May 1998;31:562-567.]
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
