The Pediatric Asthma Score can help standardize treatment of children 2-18 years presenting with asthma exacerbations. When used in conjunction with a treatment protocol, the PAS has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay as well as treatment costs. Initial PAS measured in the emergency department does not predict the need for hospital admission, and the decision to escalate care, or whether to admit to the ward or ICU, depends upon local admission criteria and individual patient factors.
Clark et al. (Wed,) studied this question.