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Hospital readmissions for preschool viral-wheeze
Teresa McNally1, Jonathan Grigg, Peck Katie
1Leicester Children's Asthma Centre, University of Leicester.
Insights
Preschool viral-wheeze (PVW) is increasingly common. While hospital stays are short, a high readmission rate suggests a need for improved early management and parental education for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Preschool viral-wheeze (PVW) prevalence has risen significantly.
- Limited data exists on PVW severity and recurrent episodes.
- Understanding readmission factors is crucial for managing this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit clinical notes of children admitted with PVW.
- To assess disease severity and readmission rates within six months.
- To identify clinical predictors for PVW readmission.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of 208 children's clinical notes.
- Analysis of hospitalisation duration, need for mechanical ventilation, and readmission data.
- Comparison of clinical and demographic variables between readmitted and non-readmitted groups.
Main Results:
- Median hospitalisation duration was 24 hours.
- Four children required mechanical ventilation.
- 22% of children were readmitted within six months.
- No specific clinical or demographic factors predicted readmission.
Conclusions:
- PVW hospitalisations are typically short, but readmission rates are high.
- Current management may be insufficient for preventing recurrent severe episodes.
- Enhanced early management strategies and improved parental education are likely necessary.
Abstract:
The prevalence of preschool viral-wheeze (PVW) has increased significantly over the last decade but little is known about the severity of the condition or the incidence of further serious episodes. In order to assess disease severity, number of readmissions, and clinical predictors for readmission we carried out an audit on the clinical notes of 208 children who were admitted with PVW over a six month period. The median duration of hospitalisation was 24 hours. Four children received mechanical ventilation. Forty-six (22 per cent) children were readmitted within six months. No clinical or demographic variable could distinguish the readmitted from the non-readmitted groups. Duration of hospitalisation for PVW is short, but the readmission rate is high: more effective early management and better parental education may be required.
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