TDNet Discover

The purpose of this quantitative, comparative study was to examine how hospital setting and resource availability influence pediatric asthma outcomes by comparing a freestanding pediatric hospital with a general adult hospital that includes a pediatric unit. This study is important because it explores whether specialized pediatric resources provide a measurable advantage in delivering efficient, high-quality care for a low-mortality condition. The sample included 1,340 pediatric asthma encounters collected over eight consecutive quarters from 2023 to 2024. Data were drawn from the Vizient Clinical Data Base/Resource Manager (CDB/RM), a nationally validated benchmarking platform. Microsoft Excel was used to conduct descriptive statistical analysis, comparing three key outcome variables: length of stay, ICU utilization, and cost of care. The results showed that the pediatric hospital consistently demonstrated shorter lengths of stay, lower average costs, and more appropriate ICU utilization. These findings suggest that pediatric-specific infrastructure, standardized care pathways, and specialized staff contribute to more efficient and consistent care delivery. The study concludes that hospital type plays a significant role in shaping pediatric asthma outcomes and supports the strategic investment in pediatric-specific capabilities. Recommendations for future research include incorporating inferential statistical testing, risk adjustment, and the development of a pediatric readiness index to further evaluate institutional preparedness and performance.