@article {Johnson3439959, author = {Joshua Johnson and Bradley Arthur Kuch and Barbara Madison}, title = {Respiratory Care Practitioners Staffed in the Pediatric Emergency Department Improves Throughput and Quality Care Measures}, volume = {65}, number = {Suppl 10}, elocation-id = {3439959}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Respiratory Care}, abstract = {Background: Pediatric Emergency Departments treat large numbers of infants and children with respiratory illness. Several studies reported correct disposition and quality of care benefits associated with Respiratory Therapists (RTs) staffed in Emergency Departments. Despite this evidence, no data exists regarding their effect on throughput times and quality care measures associated with staffing a dedicated RT in a Pediatric Emergency Department. We hypothesized that staffing a dedicated RT will decrease ED throughput times and improve therapy specific quality of care measures in children with respiratory illness. Methods: Prospective historically controlled cohort study evaluating throughput times and quality care measures for patients with respiratory illness. We compared July 2019 {\textendash} January 2020 to July 2018 {\textendash} January 2019 (control), evaluating ED LOS for patients either admitted or discharged home. Pre and post intervention quality measures were disease specific and included: ASTHMA - \% albuterol administered within 60 minutes, \% albuterol administered via MDI (vs. continuous Drug aerosol for mild/moderate exacerbation) CROUP - \% racemic administered with in 60 minutes, BRONCHIOLITIS - \% Racemic Administered. Seven-day return to the ED were also evaluated. Differences determined by Student T-Test for continuous variables presented as Mean {\textpm} standard deviation. The project was approved by the Quality Improvement Review Committee. Results: Seven thousand seven hundred sixty-eight patients were included for study, with 3,576 (46.1\%) in the study group and 4,192 (53.9\%) in the control group. Distribution of encounters included 45.9\% asthma, 22.1\% Croup, and 31.9\% Bronchiolitis. All respiratory chief complaints had a decrease in ED admitted length of stay (261.4 vs. 207.9 minutes; P =.002) that was not witnessed in those patients discharged (P =.73). All LOS for asthma and admitted LOS bronchiolitis were significantly decreased. Quality measures illustrate improvement for use of MDI in mild to moderate asthma, and Racemic Epinephrine administered within 60 minutes (Table 1). No differences were found in 7-day return rates among groups. Conclusions: Respiratory therapists bring a unique set of skills to the emergency room. This is the first study to demonstrate introducing respiratory therapist into the emergency room is associated with improved throughput times and quality of care. More specific study is needed to evaluate cost savings, patient/family satisfaction and age group specific outcomes. Throughput Times (Admitted and Discharged Length of Stay) and Quality Measures Outcomes Pre Vs. Post Staffing a Dedicated Respiratory Therapist in an Academic Emergency Department.}, issn = {0020-1324}, URL = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/65/Suppl_10/3439959}, eprint = {https://rc.rcjournal.com/content}, journal = {Respiratory Care} }