Potassium disturbance associated with an inpatient childhood asthma pathway

Background Paediatric asthma exacerbations in Alberta are treated via standardized order sets known as the Alberta Acute Childhood Asthma Pathway (ACAP). This pathway is utilized in paediatric tertiary hospitals and in remote and rural locations. Incidence, magnitude, and risk factors for hypokalemia in inpatients receiving salbutamol for asthma exacerbations via this pathway are presently unknown. Objective Establish incidence, magnitude, and risk factors for hypokalemia associated with salbutamol therapy as directed by a paediatric asthma pathway. Methods Retrospective cohort study using visit-level electronic medical data. Inpatients aged 5 years) although these risk factors may actually represent patients receiving higher doses of salbutamol. Conclusions The majority of the 38.8% of children experiencing hypokalemia associated with the ACAP were mild. Routine monitoring of potassium status in children receiving salbutamol per standardized pathway is recommended for children with described risk factors, and ideally within the first 12 hours of presentation.