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. Design 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 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. Conclusion 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.