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Guideline-adherent care in the emergency department (ED) for patients with asthma has been shown to reduce the need for hospitalization. However, in patients who are more ill and thus require hospitalization, it has been unclear whether adherence to quality metrics in the ED would have an effect on inpatient care.
These investigators reviewed data from a 25-center observational, pharmaceutical company–funded study to determine whether perfect guideline-adherent care in the ED is associated with shorter hospital stay. Adherence was measured using four criteria: use of inhaled β-agonists, use of inhaled anticholinergic agents, use of systemic corticosteroids, and avoidance of methylxanthines.
Of 854 patients treated for asthma in the ED and sub…