Home Oxygen for Bronchiolitis Could Be a Gas When It Comes to Reducing Hospital Admissions

Supplemental oxygen use is often the mainstay of a hospital admission for bronchiolitis with discharge contingent on a wean to room air. But what if we were to discharge an otherwise adequately hydrated child on home oxygen and in doing so avoid hospitalization? Would these children eventually need to be admitted but in more severe respiratory distress? Would using home O2 actually reduce admission rates or would it be riddled with complications? Halstead et al. (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-0889), using a retrospective chart review over five years, report on readmission rates and adverse outcomes. The authors also determine who might best benefit from home versus hospital oxygen therapy. Take a deep breath and read this interesting article that could change the way you manage your oxygen dependent bronchiolitics.