To address the growing need for pediatric asthma care in a busy Emergency Department, the Nursing Unit Council, led by Chair Sheila Rowe, MSN, RN, CEN and Christina Fowlks, MSN, RN, collaborated with leadership to establish a dedicated space equipped with a pediatric asthma chair and equipment cart. This space facilitates the early administration of dexamethasone and albuterol, an evidence-based intervention proven to reduce length of stay and decrease pediatric ICU admissions.
The council also partnered with our Pharmacy team to facilitate auto-verification of these medications to reduce delays in care. Since implementation of these and other tailored performance improvement interventions, the ED has continued to see a sustained improvement in their time from door to albuterol and steroid compliance.
