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Release Notes:
Measure Information Form Version 2010B **NQF-ENDORSED VOLUNTARY CONSENSUS STANDARDS FOR HOSPITAL CARE** Measure Information Form
Performance Measure Name: Systemic Corticosteroids for Inpatient Asthma Description: Use of systemic corticosteroids in pediatric patients admitted for inpatient treatment of asthma Rationale: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and a major cause of morbidity and increased health care expenditures nationally (Adams, et al., 2001). For children, asthma is one of the most frequent reasons for admission to hospitals (McCormick, et al., 1999). Silber, et al, (2003) noted that there are approximately 200,000 admissions for childhood asthma in the United States annually, representing more than $3 billion dollars in healthcare costs. Under-treatment and/or inappropriate treatment of asthma are recognized as major contributors to asthma morbidity and mortality. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma in children developed by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), as well as by the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend the use of systemic corticosteroids to gain control of acute asthma exacerbation and reduce severity as quickly as possible in children with mild, moderate and severe persistent asthma. However, there is evidence that these guidelines are not followed uniformly. For example, Crain, et al. (1995) found that fewer than half of respondents to a survey of hospital emergency departments had heard of the NHLBI guidelines and that there was considerable variation in use of systemic corticosteroids in relation to the guidelines. Administration of appropriate medication therapy is under the direct control of the care provider. Type of Measure: Process Improvement Noted As: Increase in the rate Numerator Statement: Pediatric asthma inpatients who received systemic corticosteroids during hospitalization.
Risk Adjustment: No.
Data Collection Approach: Retrospective data sources for required data elements include administrative data and medical records. Retrospective, data sources for required data elements include administrative data and medical records.
Data Accuracy: Variation may exist in the assignment of ICD-9-CM codes; therefore, coding practices may require evaluation to ensure consistency.
Measure Analysis Suggestions: Based on these data, healthcare organizations would be able to determine the overall percentage of pediatric asthma inpatients that do not receive appropriate systemic corticosteroid treatment. This measure provides opportunity to assess differences, if any, in treatment modality for the different age groups.
Sampling: Yes. For additional information see the Sampling Section.
Data Reported As: Aggregate rate generated from count data reported as a proportion.
Selected References: Included Populations:Denominator Statement: Pediatric asthma inpatients (age 2 years through 17 years) who were discharged with a principal diagnosis of asthma Included Populations: Discharges with:
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