Design and implementation of a computerized asthma management system in the pediatric emergency department

Abstract

Pediatric asthma exacerbations account for >1.8 million ED visits annually. Guidelines can decrease variability in asthma treatment and improve clinical outcomes; however, guideline adherence is inadequate. We evaluated a computerized asthma detection system based upon the NHLBI guidelines and evidence-based practice to improve care in a pediatric ED in a two phase study. Phase I looked at using an automatic disease detection system to identify eligible patients and then printing the paper-based guideline. Phase II implemented a fully computerized asthma management system. Although the time to disposition decision was not statistically significant, we believe this management system to be a sustainable computerized management system to help standardize asthma care. The computerized asthma management system represents a work-flow oriented, sustainable approach in a challenging environment.