title: Treatment algorithms from the pharmacist perspective.
abstract: Hospitals across the United States develop treatment algorithms for acute bronchospasm, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by following several different pathways. Some institutions use established national guidelines and protocols, some revise national guidelines to apply to their particular environment, and others create specific institution-related treatment algorithms with input from various departments, such as emergency medicine, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy. Although some institutions track outcomes on either a formal or an informal basis, others have not yet implemented outcomes-based programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy Administration, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wittbrodt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koval
authors.forename: Hengameh H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Raissy
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*