Evidence-Based Protocols to Guide Pulse Oximetry and Oxygen Weaning in Inpatient Children with Asthma and Bronchiolitis: A Pilot Project 12

• A nurse-led inter-professional team was formed to create and pilot evidence-based protocols for oxygen weaning and pulse oximetry use in children with acute respiratory illness.
• Outcomes of small samples (n = 15, n = 16) were compared from the pilot against children admitted with asthma or bronchiolitis prior to the protocol use.
• Children enrolled in the pilot had shorter length of stay (approximately 50% reduction), less time on oxygen, and decreased time with continuous pulse oximetry use.
• Children with the protocol-guided care experienced lower overall charges.

Nurses', respiratory therapists' (RTs), and physicians' concerns about oxygen weaning practices and pulse oximetry use in healthy children during inpatient admissions prompted this multidisciplinary evidence-based project. A nurse-led inter-professional team found lack of consistent oxygen weaning practices and lack of guidelines for nurses or RTs regarding pulse oximetry use with children admitted for acute respiratory illness. The team created and piloted evidence-based oxygen weaning and pulse oximetry protocols. After a 6 month pilot, children in the pilot had shorter length of stay, time on oxygen, and time on continuous pulse oximetry. Protocols improved patient outcomes and decreased associated charges.