Intermittent Versus Continuous Pulse Oximetry Monitoring of Infants Admitted for Bronchiolitis

Summary

Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) syndrome cause by different types of viruses and occurs in young children. Although bronchiolitis is a widespread and fairly common illness in children, pediatricians vary significantly in how it is treated. This includes how children are monitored for their oxygen status when not receiving supplemental oxygen. Studies suggest that continuous pulse oximetry measurement of children admitted to the hospital with bronchiolitis regardless of use of supplemental oxygen prolongs their hospital stay. This increases the cost of care for these patients and increases their risk of hospital-associated complications.

This study is a randomized trial of continuous pulse oximeter use in patients admitted with bronchiolitis versus transitioning patients not requiring oxygen to intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring. The investigators hypothesize that this will decrease length of stay as well as associated costs of care and number of medical interventions performed in the hospital.

Conditions

• Bronchiolitis
• Hypoxia

Interventions

OTHER

Continuous pulse oximetry monitoring

Placement of a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygenation status. This is usually placed on a toe, finger, or ear lobe and held in place with adhesive tape. Patients will receive continuous pulse oximetry monitoring throughout their hospital stay regardless of their need for supplemental oxygen.

DEVICE

Intermittent pulse oximetry monitoring

Placement of a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygenation status. This is usually placed on a toe, finger, or ear lobe and held in place with adhesive tape. Patients will receive pulse oximetry monitoring during vital signs checks (every 4 hours) and as indicated clinically when not on supplemental oxygen. When patients require supplemental oxygen they will be continuously monitored by pulse oximetry until their oxygen requirement has resolved.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baylor University

  collaborator OTHER

• Lifespan

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Missouri, Kansas City

  collaborator OTHER

• Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michael P Koster, MD · Hasbro Children's Hospital

• Russell J McCulloh, MD · Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City

• Vanessa Hill, MD · Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Max Age

24 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-12-31

Primary Completion

2014-09-30

Completion

2014-09-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations