Early administration of steroids in the ambulance setting: Protocol for a type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial with a stepped wedge design.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pediatric asthma exacerbations are a frequent reason for emergency care. Early administration of oral systemic corticosteroids (OCS) in the emergency department (ED) decreases hospitalization rates and ED length-of-stay (LOS). However, it is unknown whether even earlier OCS administration by emergency medical services (EMS) in the prehospital setting further improves outcomes.

Purpose

To describe the background and methods of a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial of EMS-administered OCS for pediatric asthma patients incorporating a stepped wedge design and the RE-AIM framework.

Methods

The study employs a non-randomized stepped wedge design where multiple EMS agencies adopt OCS as a treatment for pediatric asthma exacerbations at varying times.

SUBMITTER: Fishe JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7686057 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature