Acute Asthma Management

摘要

Hersh: Approximately 3 years ago, we received approval to administer magnesium sulfate to pediatric patients aged 2 years or older who were being treated for an asthma exacerbation on the general inpatient units. Prior to that change in policy, the medication could only be given for this indication to patients in the emergency department or the pediatric intensive care unit. The goal of implementing the change in practice was to try to prevent the need for transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit due to worsening respiratory status and increasing albuterol dosing and/or to prevent prolonged treatment with higher doses of continuous albuterol nebulization therapy so as to minimize medication side effects from albuterol.