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Parental preference and perspectives on continuous pulse oximetry in infants and children with bronchiolitis
Mohamed A Hendaus1,2, Suzan Nassar3, Bassil A Leghrouz3
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
Insights
Parents find continuous pulse oximetry reassuring for children with bronchiolitis, though some worry about discharge delays. Parental involvement in decision-making is key for managing pediatric respiratory illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Respiratory Medicine
- Medical Technology Assessment
Background:
- Bronchiolitis is a common pediatric respiratory infection.
- Continuous pulse oximetry is frequently used in hospitalized infants and children with bronchiolitis.
- Understanding parental perspectives on medical technology is crucial for patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parental preferences regarding the use of continuous pulse oximetry in infants and children diagnosed with bronchiolitis.
- To explore parental perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar.
- 132 parents of infants and children under 24 months hospitalized with bronchiolitis completed an interview survey.
- Data analysis focused on parental support, concerns, and perceived impact of continuous pulse oximetry.
Main Results:
- Approximately 80% of parents supported continuous pulse oximetry for children with bronchiolitis.
- Nearly 43% of parents believed it could delay hospital discharge, yet 85% perceived a positive health impact.
- Half of parents felt clinical examination could suffice, while 80% found the monitoring reassuring for healthcare providers.
Conclusions:
- Continuous pulse oximetry is viewed as reassuring by parents of children with bronchiolitis.
- Parental involvement in decision-making is essential for managing pediatric illnesses.
- Provider education and counseling are recommended to optimize the use of medical technology, emphasizing its complementary role.
Objective:
The purpose of the study was to investigate parental preference of continuous pulse oximetry in infants and children with bronchiolitis.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar. Parents of infants and children <24 months old and hospitalized with bronchiolitis were offered an interview survey.
Results:
A total of 132 questionnaires were completed (response rate 100%). Approximately 90% of participants were 20-40 years of age, and 85% were females. The mean age of children was 7.2±5.8 months. Approximately eight in ten parents supported the idea of continuous pulse oximetry in children with bronchiolitis. Almost 43% of parents believed that continuous pulse-oximetry monitoring would delay their children's hospital discharge. Interestingly, approximately 85% of caregivers agreed that continuous pulse oximetry had a good impact on their children's health. In addition, around one in two of the participants stated that good bedside examinations can obviate the need for continuous pulse oximetry. Furthermore, 80% of parents believed that continuous pulse-oximetry monitoring would give the health-care provider a good sense of security regarding the child's health. Finally, being a male parent was associated with significantly increased risk of reporting unnecessary fatigue, attributed to the sound of continuous pulse oximetry (P=0.031).
Conclusion:
Continuous pulse-oximetry monitoring in children with bronchiolitis was perceived as reassuring for parents. Involving parents in decision-making is considered essential in the better management of children with bronchiolitis or any other disease. The first step to decrease continuous pulse oximetry will require provider education and change as well. Furthermore, we recommend proper counseling for parents, emphasizing that medical technology is not always essential, but is a complementary mode of managing a disease.
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