Nurse-Led treatment strategy based on asthma score and oxygen requirement in children with acute reversible bronchoconstriction: A randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

What was studied

This was an open-label randomised trial in Dutch teaching hospitals. Children aged 2-18 years had acute reversible bronchoconstriction and needed extra oxygen. The trial tested a nurse-led plan based on the CAS O2 score. The control plan used the Childhood Asthma Score (CAS). Both plans guided bronchodilator doses and reassessment times. The main outcome was length of hospital stay. The non-inferiority margin was 8 hours.

What they found

Data came from 132 children. 69 had CAS O2 and 63 had CAS. Median stay was 40.0 hours with CAS O2. It was 40.8 hours with CAS. The adjusted gap was -3.7 hours, which met non-inferiority. Bronchodilator doses were fewer with CAS O2. The mean was 7.9 versus 10.5. Safety outcomes did not differ between groups.

What it means for patients

The authors say CAS O2 supports nurse-led care of children with this condition. This includes children who need extra oxygen. They say it gave fewer bronchodilator doses and no longer stay. They say the results support wider use of CAS O2 pathways.

Why it is not certain yet

The trial was open-label, so staff knew the plan. It took place in Dutch teaching hospitals. Results apply to children who needed extra oxygen. The abstract does not say how long children were followed.

Source

Nurse-Led treatment strategy based on asthma score and oxygen requirement in children with acute reversible bronchoconstriction: A randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

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