Croup

Clinical Pathways promote evidence based, safe, and high-value care for patients by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathways:

• Croup – Emergency Department/Urgent Care Center Algorithm
• Croup – Inpatient Algorithm
• Croup Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)

Inclusion and exclusion criteria and special considerations for deviations from this clinical pathway:

Inclusion:

• • Age 6 months to 6 years with presumed diagnosis of croup

Exclusion:

• • Tracheostomy
  • Vocal cord dysfunction

Special considerations for deviation from this clinical pathway:

• • Known upper airway abnormality
  • Hypotonia or neuromuscular disorder
  • Complex medical co-morbidities
  • History of chronic steroid use

Committee members involved in the development:

• Donna Wyly, MSN, RN, APRN, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, ONC | Urgent Care |Committee Co-Chair
• Amanda Nedved, MD | Urgent Care | Committee Co-Chair
• Michelle Dephillips, MD | Emergency Department | Committee Member
• Amanda Montalbano, MD, MPH, FAAP | Urgent Care | Committee Member
• Christine Scoby, DO | Hospital Medicine | Committee Member
• Tony Randall, MHA, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, C-ELBW, CPPS | Transport | Committee Member

EBP Committee Members:

• Kathleen Berg, MD, FAAP | Hospitalist, Evidence Based Practice
• Andrea Melanson, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice
• Kelli Ott, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice

Publication dates:

• Finalized date: November 2022
• Next expected revision date: November 2025

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.