Caracterización de prematuros ingresados por bronquiolitis en el Hospital Nacional de Niños / Characterization of premature patients admitted for bronchiolitis at the National Children's Hospital

Resumen Antecedentes: La bronquiolitis es la infección del tracto respiratorio inferior más frecuente en lactantes. El virus respiratorio sincicial es el principal agente y responde hasta por un 85 % de los casos. Los principales factores de riesgo asociados son: sexo masculino; lactantes menores; prematuros; patologías médicas de fondo como: cardiopatía congénita, displasia broncopulmonar, síndrome de Down y enfermedades neuromusculares; así como otros factores ambientales y sociales. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar los prematuros, el tratamiento utilizado, el perfil de la inmunofluorescencia viral, las complicaciones, el uso de palivizumab y los costos de hospitalización en pacientes hospitalizados por bronquiolitis durante enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2011. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, basado en la revisión retrospectiva de expedientes clínicos de una serie de pacientes hospitalizados en el Hospital Nacional de Niños de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes menores de 2 años egresados con el diagnóstico de bronquiolitis durante 2011, con el antecedente de prematuridad (menor de 37 semanas de edad gestacional). Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 141 pacientes; un 63 % (n=89) de sexo masculino, promedio de edad 5,7 meses (rango 0-24). Un 43 % (n=61) de los pacientes manifestó bronquiolitis antes de los 3 meses de edad. Con respecto a la edad gestacional, se obtuvo que el 35,46 % de los pacientes eran de 32 a 35 semanas, de 35 a 37 semanas un 31,2 %, de 30 a 32 semanas un 19,86 % y el resto menores de las 29 semanas. En 93 niños (66 %) se anotó el antecedente de tabaquismo en el entorno del hogar; de forma específica, en 17 % de estos pacientes se presentó el antecedente de tabaquismo pasivo, al reportarse que el padre o el abuelo eran los fumadores activos. El antecedente heredofamiliar de asma fue positivo en el 41,8 %. Con respecto al tratamiento recibido durante su hospitalización, el 100 % ameritó oxígeno suplementario y un 61 % recibió nebulizaciones con salbutamol; los esteroides sistémicos se utilizaron en el 33 % de los pacientes y solo en un 29 % se utilizó la terapia antibiótica. Un 28 % de la población estudiada presentó complicaciones, de los cuales 28 (19,86 %) prematuros ameritaron soporte ventilatorio. El hallazgo de atelectasia en la radiografía de tórax se evidenció en el 7,8 % de los pacientes. Únicamente un 4,25 % de los pacientes tuvo una sobreinfección bacteriana. Debido a la dificultad de los accesos venosos de este grupo de niños, 14 (9,93 %) ameritaron la colocación de catéter venoso central. El rango de estancia hospitalaria fue de 1 a 31 días, con un promedio de 7; la hospitalización en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos alcanzó un rango de 5 a 18 días, con un promedio de 10, y el promedio de la necesidad de ventilación mecánica asistida fue de 8,2 días, y de cánula de alto flujo de 2,8 días. Únicamente un 6,38 % (n=9) tenía el antecedente de haber recibido profilaxis con palivizumab: la mayoría había recibido más de dos dosis y ninguno de los pacientes había completado el esquema de las 5 dosis. Durante 2011, el Hospital reportó que el costo promedio diario fue de ¢ 766 476. Con un total de 1001 días de hospitalización acumulada, se estimó un costo directo de ¢ 767 242 142, equivalente a $ 1 522 306 (dólares estadounidenses). Conclusión: El perfil de los prematuros en este estudio es muy similar a lo reportado internacionalmente, por ser un grupo de prematuros con prevalencia más elevada de complicaciones que la población pediátrica general. Dado el costo que implica el internamiento de estos pacientes, es necesario evaluar la aplicación de intervenciones como el palivizumab para prevenir la hospitalización y disminuir otros costos al sistema de salud solidario.

Abstract Background: Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in infants. Respiratory Syncytial Virus is the main agent and responds in up to 85% of cases. The main associated risk factors are: male sex, young infants, premature infants, underlying medical conditions such as: congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, Down syndrome and neuromuscular diseases; as well as other environmental and social factors. The objective of this study was to characterize preterm infants, the treatment used, the viral immunofluorescence profile, complications, the use of palivizumab, and hospitalization costs in patients hospitalized for bronchiolitis during January 2011 and December 2011. Methods: An observational, descriptive study, based on a retrospective review of clinical records of a series of hospitalized patients at the National Children's Hospital (HNN) of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund. All patients under 2 years of age who were discharged with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis during 2011, with a history of prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestational age) were included. Results: A total of 141 patients were included, 63% (n = 89) were male, with an average age of 5.7 months (range 0-24). 43% (n = 61) of patients with Bronchiolitis manifested before 3 months of age. With regard to gestational age, it was found that 35.46% of the patients were between 32 and 35 weeks, 31.2% from 35 to 37 weeks, 19.86% from 30 to 32 weeks and the rest were under 29 weeks. In 93 children (66%) a history of smoking was noted in the home environment; specifically, 17% of these patients had a history of passive smoking as the father or grandfather was reported as active smokers. In relation to the hereditary family history of asthma, it was positive in 41.8%. Regarding the treatment received during their hospitalization, 100% required supplemental oxygen and 61% received nebulizations with salbutamol; systemic steroids were used in 33% of patients and antibiotic therapy was used in only 29%. 28% of the population studied presented complications, of which 28 (19.86%) premature babies required ventilatory support. The finding of atelectasis on the chest X-ray occurred in 7.8% of the patients. Only 4.25% of the patients had a bacterial superinfection. Due to the difficulty of the venous access in this group of children, 14 (9.93%) of them required the placement of a central venous catheter. The range of hospital stay was from 1 to 31 days with an average of 7 days, hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit reached a range of 5 to 18 days with an average of 10 days and the average need for assisted mechanical ventilation It was 8.2 days and the high-flow cannula was 2.8 days. Only 6.38% (n = 9) had a history of having received prophylaxis with Palivizumab, the majority had received more than two doses, and none of the patients had completed the 5-dose schedule. During that year 2011, the hospital reported that the average daily cost was ¢ 766 476; With a total of 1001 cumulative hospitalization days, a total direct cost of ¢ 767 242 142 was estimated, equivalent to $ 1 522 306 (US dollars). Conclusion: The profile of the characteristics of premature infants in this study is very similar to that reported internationally, as it is a group of premature infants with a higher prevalence of complications than the general pediatric population. Given the cost involved in the hospitalization of these patients, it is necessary to evaluate the application of interventions such as palivizumab to prevent hospitalization and reduce other costs to the solidarity health system.

Analysis of the incidence of acute respiratory diseases in the paediatric population in Poland in the light of the "Health Needs Map".

INTRODUCTION: Statistical data on the structure of acute respiratory diseases incidence in the paediatric population are still scarce. The demand for such data results mainly from the need to constantly implement new systemic and economic solutions. The aim of the study was to attempt to use reported data for an assessment of the incidence of acute respiratory diseases in various age groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of selected acute respiratory diseases was conducted in relation to diagnoses reported from 1 January to 31 December 2014 to the National Health Fund (NFZ, Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia) in accordance with the codes of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. The study was conducted under the Knowledge Education Development operational programme co-funded by the European Social Fund. RESULTS: A total of 101,000 children were hospitalised due to acute respiratory diseases, which amounted to 1,554 hospitalisa-tions per 100.000. The most common causes of hospitalisation were pneumonia and bronchitis/bronchiolitis. Boys were hospital-ised more often in each age group. The shortest average length of stay (ALOS) was 5.21 days and concerned hospitalisation due to bronchitis. The longest length of stay for children was due to tuberculosis (14.3 days). The highest age average of a child was recorded in pleural diseases (10.51 years) and the lowest in bronchitis (2.93 years). Rehospitalisation was necessary in children in whom tuberculosis or pleural diseases were diagnosed (1.43 vs 1.34). A total of 67 inpatient deaths were recorded, of which 19 were due to pneumonia or its complications. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological data reported to the National Health Fund (NFZ) seem quite reliable and do not differ significantly from those reported in other European countries. The analysed data may be useful in estimating health needs in paediatrics.

Improving Bronchiolitis Care in Outpatient Settings Across a Health Care System.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to reduce use of ineffective testing and therapies in children with bronchiolitis across outpatient settings in a large pediatric health care system and (2) to assess the cost impact and sustainability of these initiatives. METHODS: We designed a system-wide quality improvement project for patients with bronchiolitis seen in 3 emergency departments (EDs) and 5 urgent care (UC) centers. Interventions included development of a best-practice guideline and education of all clinicians (physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists), ongoing performance feedback for physicians, and a small physician financial incentive. Measures evaluated included use of chest x-ray (CXR), albuterol, viral testing, and direct (variable) costs. Data were tracked using statistical process control charts. RESULTS: For 3 bronchiolitis seasons, albuterol use decreased from 54% to 16% in UC and from 45% to 16% in ED. Chest x-ray usage decreased from 29% to 9% in UC and from 21% to 12% in the ED. Viral testing in UC decreased from 18% to 2%. Cost of care was reduced by $283,384 within our system in the first 2 seasons following guideline implementation. Improvements beginning in the first bronchiolitis season were sustained and strengthened in the second and third seasons. Admissions from the ED and admissions after return to the ED within 48 hours of initial discharge did not change. CONCLUSION: A system-wide quality improvement project involving multiple outpatient care settings reduced the use of ineffective therapies and interventions in patients with bronchiolitis and resulted in significant cost savings. Improvements in care were sustained for 3 bronchiolitis seasons.

Secondhand smoke exposure, illness severity, and resource utilization in pediatric emergency department patients with respiratory illnesses.

OBJECTIVE: Hospital-based data reveal that children who have secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) experience severe respiratory illnesses and greater resource utilization. Our objective was to assess the relationship between SHSe and illness severity/resource utilization among children presenting to the pediatric emergency department (PED) with three common respiratory conditions-asthma, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. METHODS: A retrospective review of a yearlong consecutive sample of PED patients with SHSe status documentation and asthma, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia diagnoses was performed. PED illness severity/resource utilization variables included triage categorization, initial oxygen saturation, evaluation/testing (influenza A & B, respiratory syncytial virus, chest X-ray), procedures/interventions performed (supplemental oxygen, suctioning, intubation), medications administered, and disposition. Logistic and linear regression models were conducted to determine differences in each diagnosis group while controlling for sociodemographics, medical history, seasonality, and insurance type. RESULTS: There were 3,229 children with documentation of SHSe status and an asthma (41%), bronchiolitis (36%), or pneumonia (23%) diagnosis. Across diagnosis groups, approximately 1/4 had positive documentation of SHSe. Asthmatic children with SHSe were more likely to receive corticosteroids (odds ratio (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19, 2.44) and/or magnesium sulfate (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.40). Children with SHSe and bronchiolitis were more likely to receive racemic epinephrine (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.21, 5.08), have a chest X-ray (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.85), and/or be admitted (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.95). No differences in illness severity/resource utilization were identified for children with pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: SHS-exposed children with asthma or bronchiolitis have greater illness severity/resource utilization. Our findings highlight the importance of SHSe assessment, cessation, and research efforts in the PED setting.

Impact of a bronchiolitis guideline on ED resource use and cost: a segmented time-series analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Bronchiolitis is a major cause of infant morbidity and contributes to millions of dollars in health care costs. Care guidelines may cut costs by reducing unnecessary resource utilization. Through the implementation of a guideline, we sought to reduce unnecessary resource utilization and improve the value of care provided to infants with bronchiolitis in a pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: We conducted an interrupted time series that examined ED visits of 2929 patients with bronchiolitis, aged 1 to 12 months old, seen between November 2007 and April 2013. Outcomes were proportion having a chest radiograph (CXR), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing, albuterol or antibiotic administration, and the total cost of care. Balancing measures included admission rate, returns to the ED resulting in admission within 72 hours of discharge, and ED length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: There were no significant preexisting trends in the outcomes. After guideline implementation, there was an absolute reduction of 23% in CXR (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11% to 34%), 11% in RSV testing (95% CI: 6% to 17%), 7% in albuterol use (95% CI: 0.2% to 13%), and 41 minutes in ED LOS (95% CI: 16 to 65 minutes). Mean cost per patient was reduced by $197 (95% CI: $136 to $259). Total cost savings was $196,409 (95% CI: $135,592 to $258,223) over the 2 bronchiolitis seasons after guideline implementation. There were no significant differences in antibiotic use, admission rates, or returns resulting in admission within 72 hours of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: A bronchiolitis guideline was associated with reductions in CXR, RSV testing, albuterol use, ED LOS, and total costs in a pediatric ED.