ABSTRACT
Objective: To review the management/investigations performed in acute bronchiolitis.
Method: A retrospective study was conducted on 75 infants with clinical symptoms of bronchiolitis. Demographic and clinical data on the infants and compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) British Thoracic Society/ Scottish Intercollegiate (BTS/SIGN) Guidelines were examined.
Results: Fifty-seven per cent of infants were positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Seventy two per cent of infants had symptoms of rhinorrhoea. Thirty-two per cent of infants had crackles on chest auscultation. Forty-four per cent of infants had an abnormal chest X-ray. Twelve per cent of infants presented with an oxygen saturation SAO2 of less than 92 per cent. Seventy-seven per cent of infants received a bronchodilator. Thirty-five per cent of infants were given steroids. Thirty-two per cent of infants were treated with antibiotics.
Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used as a process improvement, which could result in reduced costs of care. In addition, the data generated by the study can be used to identify the start of the RSV season in order to best initiate RSV prophylaxis for risk groups of patients.
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