Abstract
In the research study "Corticosteroid Timing and Length of Stay for Children With Asthma in the Emergency Department," the authors conducted a retrospective medical record review of children with emergency department (ED) visits to a Connecticut Medical Center in 2007. Their aim was to determine whether administration of oral corticosteroids to patients with acute asthma exacerbation would decrease the mean length of stay in the ED by 10 min or more. We review and critique this article and use a case study module to illustrate the importance of these research findings and also the larger body of evidence supporting the early administration of corticosteroids in acute asthma.