Low flow oxygen therapy in infants.
Fifty one infants who were oxygen dependent after treatment for neonatal respiratory disease were entered into a study programme where 100% oxygen was delivered at low flow through a nasal catheter. Thirty five (69%) of the infants were discharged home and the remainder were either discharged to a convalescent hospital or back to their peripheral referring hospital. Excluding repeat admissions for monitoring or for the treatment of acute infections, 2760 hospital days (79 days/patient) were saved, representing a financial saving of $11990 (pounds 6500) per treated infant. A home low flow oxygen therapy programme has benefits to the infant/parent relationship, provides a more constant flow of oxygen than conventional methods, and the early hospital discharge represents a considerable financial saving.
D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000628:therapy