Implementing Oral Systemic Corticosteroids for Pediatric Asthma into EMS Treatment Guidelines: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Respiratory distress accounts for approximately 14% of all pediatric emergency medical services (EMS) encounters, with asthma being the most common diagnosis. In the emergency department (ED), early administration of systemic corticosteroids decreases hospital admission and speeds resolution of symptoms. For children treated by EMS, there is an opportunity for earlier corticosteroid administration. Most EMS agencies carry intravenous (IV) corticosteroids; yet given the challenges and low rates of EMS pediatric IV placement, oral corticosteroids (OCS) are a logical alternative. However, previous single-agency studies showed low adoption of OCS. Therefore, qualitative study of OCS implementation by EMS is warranted.Methods: This study's objective was to explore up

SUBMITTER: McManus K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10050217 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature