Impact of PERC

Impact of PERC

Croup (Inflammation of the Upper Airways)

  • 80,000 children are seen each year in the ED with croup.
  • PERC has shown that steroid treatment for children with croup reduces admissions, symptoms, and follow-up visits.
  • Access TREKK online evidence repository for easy to use resources on croup.
  • Key PERC publication:
    • Johnson D, et al. A cluster randomized controlled trial comparing three methods of disseminating practice guidelines for children with croup. Implementation Science 2006. Click to View Article

 

Minor Head Injuries

  • 650,000 North American children injure their head each year with most being fine, but some have life-threatening bleeds in the brain.
  • CT scans identify bleeds, but expose children to radiation and increase the risk of cancer later in life.
  • PERC developed a ‘clinical decision rule’ that accurately tells doctors when they need a CT scan.
  • This rule has the potential to substantially reduce the number of CT scans done without missing kids with serious bleeds.
  • Key PERC publication:
    • Osmond MH, et al. CATCH: a clinical decision rule for the use of computed tomography in children with minor head injury. CMAJ 2010. Click to View Article

 

Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)

  • Most common reason for kids visiting the ED, with some kids being seriously dehydrated.
  • PERC has shown that anti-vomiting medicine (ondansetron) allows children to take fluids by mouth and reduces the need for IVs by 60%.
  • Access TREKK online evidence repository for easy to use resources on gastroenteritis.
  • Key PERC publication:
    • Freedman SB, et al. Prospective assessment of practice pattern variations in the treatment of pediatric gastroenteritis. Pediatrics 2011. Click to View Article

 

Bronchiolitis (Baby Asthma)

  • Most common reason for infants to be hospitalized.
  • PERC investigators completed the largest study every including 800 children.
  • This study showed that commonly used medications (adrenaline and corticosteroids) given at the same time were more effective than given alone.
  • Access TREKK online evidence repository for easy to use resources on bronchiolitis.
  • Key PERC publication:
    • Plint AC, et al. Epinephrine and dexamethasone in children with bronchiolitis. NJEM 2009. Click to View Article