Can the environmental protection agency's air quality index (AQI) be used to predict pediatric emergency room admissions for asthma?
Abstract
In 2000, the EPA implemented a color-coded system for easier understanding by the
general public to be forewarned of unhealthy air quality days. This study reviewed daily
ER admissions at an urban pediatric hospital in Dallas, Texas for the months of May
through September 2000, in an effort to predict increased admissions for asthma during
high ozone episodes. If the color-coded AQI could be used to predict admissions for
asthma, then the hospital would be able to better prepare for that increase. From using a
regression analysis with a one-day lag and a two-day lag, no correlation was found
between the high ozone days and ER admissions for asthma. Future research should
adjust for other variables, such as weather conditions and days of the week, use of
controller medications and will compare other health care facilities' asthma admissions
for the same days.