Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine
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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med · Sep 2012
Association between evidence-based standardized protocols in emergency departments with childhood asthma outcomes: a Canadian population-based study.
To determine whether children treated in emergency departments (EDs) with evidence-based standardized protocols (EBSPs) containing evidence-based content and format had lower risk of hospital admission or ED return visit and greater follow-up than children treated in EDs with no standardized protocols in Ontario, Canada. ⋯ The EBSPs were not associated with improvements in rates of hospital admissions, return visits to the ED, or follow-up. Our findings suggest the need to address gaps linking improved processes of asthma care with outcomes.
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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med · Sep 2012
Medical and nonmedical use of prescription opioids among high school seniors in the United States.
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of medical and nonmedical use of prescription opioids among high school seniors in the United States and to assess substance use behaviors based on medical and nonmedical use of prescription opioids. DESIGN Nationally representative samples of high school seniors (modal age 18 years) were surveyed during the spring of their senior year via self-administered questionnaires. SETTING Data were collected in public and private high schools. ⋯ The odds of substance use behaviors were greater among individuals who reported any history of nonmedical use of prescription opioids relative to those who reported medical use only. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 1 in every 4 high school seniors in the United States has ever had some exposure to prescription opioids either medically or nonmedically. The quantity of prescription opioids and number of refills prescribed to adolescents should be carefully considered and closely monitored to reduce subsequent nonmedical use of leftover medication.