Outpatient management of home oxygen for bronchiolitis

Home O2 has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for bronchiolitis but data on outpatient management of home O2 are lacking. We aim to describe outpatient management and challenges to home O2 for bronchiolitis.

We surveyed Colorado and Utah (where home O2 use is prevalent) chapter members of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding bronchiolitis home O2 management.

A total of 1030 providers were surveyed. The response rate was 21% (n = 214). Ninety percent of practicing primary care providers reported experience with home O2. Of those, 46% see patients on postdischarge day 1. Most providers see patients 1 to 3 times before stopping O2. Eighty percent continue O2 for 3 to 7 days. Weaning procedures vary and 56% practice more than 1 method. Most (41%) do not use continuous pulse oximetry. Challenges include parental noncompliance (51%) and difficulty knowing when to stop the O2 (57%).

Management of home O2 in patients with bronchiolitis is a common in UT and CO. Weaning practices vary. Further research is needed.