Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions that pediatric patients face. For patients with asthma, there are many potential triggers for an asthma exacerbation, from respiratory infections to weather changes. Asthma exacerbations are one of the most common reasons why pediatric patients present to the emergency department (ED) and are one of the top three diagnoses for hospitalization. There are protocols in place that attempt to standardize treatment of asthma in the ED, based on symptom management. However, there is a large discrepancy regarding the use of chest x-rays (CXR) for patients presenting with symptoms that are consistent with an asthma exacerbation.
Read more
