Successful implementation of spacer treatment guideline for acute asthma
- aDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, bDepartment of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, cHospital Support Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, dDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Dr Powellpowellc{at}cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
- Accepted 9 August 2000
Abstract
AIMS To develop and implement an evidence based guideline for the treatment of acute asthma using a metered dose inhaler and spacer combination.
METHODS Defined strategies were used for the development and implementation of a guideline, assessed by a prospective, descriptive, study using notes review, and patient, nursing, and medical staff telephone contact. The setting was a tertiary referral hospital in Victoria, Australia with 25 000 yearly admissions, and asthma accounting for about 7% of total. The first 200 children and families to use the guideline after its introduction were evaluated.
RESULTS A total of 191 (95.5%) children were treated according to the guideline. Six (3.0%) children were given nebulisers appropriately based on severity; five (2.5%) were given nebulisers at parental or child choice; and four (2.0 %) who did not have severe asthma, received nebulised treatment inappropriately.
CONCLUSIONS Successful implementation of a new evidence based guideline can be achieved using specific strategies for promoting the application of research findings in the clinical arena.
