Outpatient Management of Home Oxygen for Bronchiolitis

Objective. 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. Methods. We surveyed Colorado and Utah (where home O₂ use is prevalent) chapter members of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding bronchiolitis home O₂ management. Results. 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%). Conclusions. Management of home O₂ in patients with bronchiolitis is a common in UT and CO. Weaning practices vary. Further research is needed.