Acute bronchiolitis: Experience of home oxygen therapy in "Hospital at Home" care from 2012 to 2014: Home oxygen therapy in "Hospital at Home" for bronchiolitis

Abstract

Aim: To describe the management of home oxygen therapy for infants with acute bronchiolitis through a home care network: Hospital at Home (HAH).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out during two consecutive winters from 2012 to 2014.

Results: A total of 141 patients were eligible for home oxygen therapy, and 54 were discharged on home oxygen therapy through HAH. The median age of patients was 2.5 months (0.75-13 months). The average length of hospital stay before discharge was 4.9 days (1-17 days). In total, 73% of the children received oxygen at home. There was an average of five nurse visits per patient. Each child was seen by a pediatrician during the HAH care. There were no deaths or readmissions to an intensive care unit. There were two conventional readmissions for increased respiratory distress and two emergency department visits. The median length of HAH was 6 days (1-33 days).

Conclusion: Home oxygen for infants with acute bronchiolitis is a promising and safe alternative to reduce conventional hospitalizations. It is necessary to evaluate the cost of this treatment and its impact on nosocomial infections.

Keywords: Acute bronchiolitis; Home hospitalization; Infants and young children; Oxygen.