Key Drivers
The tools and resources associated with these key drivers are meant to improve the evidence‐based acute evaluation and management for patients 6 mo – 6 yrs presenting withsymptoms of croup.
About the Project
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Acute & Critical Care (PACC) Quality Network, an established hospital focused pediatric quality improvement (QI) network, seeks to implement interventions to improve the care of patients presenting to the hospital with croup. The QI effort provided physicians with education about evidence-based best practice, strategies for implementation, and tools to bring about sustainable change, while also assessing the implementation strategies associated with the greatest success. Providing multi-disciplinary teams with quality improvement education and tools specific to management of children with mental health concerns will increase compliance with the evidence-based research and thereby decrease overuse of non-evidence-based therapies and tests.
Global Aim
To improve the evidence-based evaluation and management of children who present to an acute care setting with croup
Primary Aims
- To reduce potentially preventable hospitalizations by 20% from baseline by August 2025
- To reduce not routinely recommended testing by 50% from baseline for neck radiographs, chest radiographs, viral testing, and laboratory studies by August 2025
- To increase appropriate administration of oral dexamethasone to at least 95% by August 2025
Process Measures
- To increase the proportion of hospitalized patients who receive 3 or more nebulized RE before hospital admission by 20% by Aug 2025
- To reduce not routinely recommended testing by 50% from baseline for neck radiographs, chest radiographs, viral testing, and laboratory studies (inflammatory markers and blood cultures) by Aug 2025
- To increase administration of oral dexamethasone to at least 95% by Aug 2025.
Balancing Measures
- ED/Urgent Care LOS
- Revisit or readmission for croup or croup- mimicking condition within 3 days of the index encounter
Measurement Strategy
The measures set that was developed in the BARCK Project are for reference, adaptation and use in your practice.
Project Results & Publication
Analysis and manuscript development is currently underway – check back for project publications!
Acknowledgements and Contributors
Last Updated
02/17/2026
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics