Medical Personnel's Utilization of Management Protocol for Pediatric Asthma Emergencies.

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluating the utilization of protocols used in managing asthma emergencies in the pediatric setting should be effective in preventing errors during emergency procedures. To ensure that pediatric asthma emergencies are managed properly, there is a need for healthcare personnel to adhere to guidelines for the management of pediatric asthma emergencies.

Aim: To evaluate the utilization of management protocol for pediatric asthma emergencies.

Methodology: Cross-sectional survey, using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather data from medical personnel to determine the effective use of asthma guidelines in the emergency management of pediatrics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Pearson's Chi-square test of association was used to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables, with a p-value < 0.05 regarded as statistically significant in association.

Findings: Adherence (mean score = 3.49, SD = 1.342) for nurses and a (mean score = 4.25, SD = 0.463) adherence for physicians to the protocol for the management of pediatric asthma emergencies at the health facility. There was a significant statistical association between adherence to the pediatric asthma emergency protocol and the management outcome of pediatric asthma emergency protocol (p-value 0.001).Inadequate resources, such as resuscitation equipment (66.7%) and nebulizers (55.9%), were the barriers hindering the adherence and utilization of the management protocol for pediatric asthma.

Conclusion: Although there is high utilization and adherence to the management protocol for pediatric asthma emergencies, availability of essential equipment, training nurses and physicians to sustain the utilization and the positive outcome of the protocol guidelines are needed.