Intensivists’ Reported Management of Critical Bronchiolitis: More Data and New Guidelines Needed

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Existing bronchiolitis guidelines do not reflect the needs of infants admitted to the PICU. This study aimed to identify PICU providers’ reported practice variations and explore the need for critical bronchiolitis clinical guidelines. METHODS Cross-sectional electronic survey available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese between November 2020 and March 2021, distributed via research networks from North and Latin America, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand. RESULTS A total of 657 PICU providers responded, including 344 English, 204 Spanish, and 109 Portuguese. PICU providers indicated frequently using (≥25% of time) diagnostic modalities for nonintubated and intubated patients on PICU admission (complete blood count [75%–97%], basic metabolic panel [64%–92%], respiratory viral panel [90%–95%], chest x-ray [83%–98%]). Respondents also reported regularly (≥25% of time) prescribing β-2 agonists (43%–50%), systemic corticosteroids (23%–33%), antibiotics (24%–41%), and diuretics (13%–41%). Although work of breathing was the most common variable affecting providers’ decision to initiate enteral feeds for nonintubated infants, hemodynamic status was the most common variable for intubated infants (82% of providers). Most respondents agreed it would be beneficial to have specific guidelines for infants with critical bronchiolitis who are requiring both noninvasive (91% agreement) and invasive (89% agreement) respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS PICU providers report performing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for infants with bronchiolitis more frequently than recommended by current clinical guidelines, with interventions occurring more frequently for infants requiring invasive support. More clinical research is needed to inform the creation of evidence-based guidelines specifically for infants with critical bronchiolitis.