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Puking less per pound, for acute wheezers: quality improvement in a Pediatric Emergency Department
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  • Gail Davison,
  • Josh Ruddell,
  • Michelle Trouton,
  • Roisin McDonald,
  • Ben Kennedy,
  • Vikki O'Neill,
  • Joseph McCann,
  • Brigitte Bartholome,
  • Heather Steen,
  • Mike Shields,
  • Stephen Mullen
Gail Davison
Queen's University Belfast

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Josh Ruddell
Queen's University Belfast
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Michelle Trouton
Queen's University Belfast
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Roisin McDonald
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Ben Kennedy
Royal Victoria Hospital
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Vikki O'Neill
Queen's University Belfast
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Joseph McCann
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Brigitte Bartholome
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Heather Steen
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Mike Shields
Queens University Belfast
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Stephen Mullen
Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
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Abstract

Background & local problem: Acute wheezing attacks are a leading cause of Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) attendances and inpatient admissions and are a considerable burden on the healthcare providers. Almost one-third of children vomit prednisolone in the PED, requiring anti-emetics and repeat dosing. Aim: This quality improvement (QI) intervention aimed to improve oral corticosteroid (OCS) tolerability, reduce emergency department length of stay (LOS), and reduce OCS drug costs for acute wheeze attendances in a PED, while not adversely affecting admissions, re-attendance, or mortality rates. QI Interventions: Included (1) a departmental protocol and (2) modification of the OCS type and dosage from prednisolone (3-day course of 1 mg/kg) to dexamethasone (600 mcg/kg, then single dose 300 mcg/kg). Methods: The study team reviewed the evidence and implemented the interventions. To assess the scale of improvement, we retrospectively collected data on attendance records for patients aged 2-14 years with acute wheeze requiring OCS. We collected data on 100 children who attended the PED between October and December for each year (2016, 2017, and 2018). We then assessed OCS tolerability, LOS, OCS drug costs, and, admission, re-attendance, and mortality rates. Results: Over a 48-month period, we increased OCS tolerability by 67.2% and achieved an 85.8% reduction in OCS drug costs (saving £41,553.14). There was no change in the LOS, admission, re-attendance, and mortality rates. Conclusions: Improved tolerability and substantial cost savings can be achieved by implementing a structured acute pediatric wheeze protocol and modifying the OCS to single-dose dexamethasone (300 mcg/kg).
17 Apr 2021Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
19 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
19 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
26 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
16 Aug 20211st Revision Received
16 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
16 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
16 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Jan 20222nd Revision Received
27 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
27 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
27 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Feb 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
22 Aug 20223rd Revision Received
25 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
25 Aug 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Nov 20224th Revision Received
24 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
24 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
24 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Accept