How commonly are children hospitalized for asthma eligible for care in alternative settings?
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
McConnochie
K M
KM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY, USA.
Russo
M J
MJ
McBride
J T
JT
Szilagyi
P G
PG
Brooks
A M
AM
Roghmann
K J
KJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000336:Aerosols; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D010100:Oxygen