RT Journal
A1 McConnochie KM, Russo MJ, McBride JT, Szilagyi PG, Brooks A, Roghmann KJ
T1 HOw commonly are children hospitalized for asthma eligible for care in alternative settings?
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 1999
FD January 1
VO 153
IS 1
SP 49
OP 55
DO 10.1001/archpedi.153.1.49
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.1.49
AB Objective 
    To estimate the proportion of children hospitalized for acute asthma exacerbation who might be cared for successfully in alternative settings such as short-stay units or in-home nursing.Design 
    Descriptive study based on analysis of hospital discharge files and on retrospective medical record review of a random sample of asthma hospitalizations.Methods 
    The 2028 asthma hospitalizations between 1991 and 1995 for children (aged <19 years) dwelling in Rochester, NY, were studied. Measures included the duration of frequent administration of nebulized medication (2 or more times in a 4-hour period), worst oxygen saturation levels, deterioration, and hospital length of stay. Oxygen saturation values and nebulized medication frequency were determined by hospital record review on a random sample of 443 asthma episodes. Length of stay was available for all admissions.Results 
    Worst oxygen saturation following hospital admission was 95% or greater, 90% to 94%, and less than 90% for 21.3%, 51.6%, and 27.1% of episodes, respectively. Children received frequent nebulized medication treatments for a mean of 2.0 nursing shifts (8 hours per shift), although they remained hospitalized, on average, for 4.3 nursing shifts longer. Deterioration to a critical level of severity was uncommon. Among children initially admitted to the regular pediatric inpatient unit, only 0.7% subsequently deteriorated to the point that they were transferred to the critical care unit.Conclusion 
    More than 70% of asthma hospitalizations in this community could be cared for in alternative settings with supplemental oxygen, nebulized medication treatments, and close nursing observation provided, in most cases, for 2 nursing shifts.