Rapid response physiotherapy service in patients with life limiting conditions

Rapid response physiotherapy service in patients with life limiting conditions

Michael A; Milner S; Griffin H

Archives of Disease in Childhood

2019

child; female; human; male; controlled study; clinical article; quality of life; conference abstract; hospital admission; hospital bed; hospitalization; lower respiratory tract infection; physiotherapist; physiotherapy; risk assessment; sample size

Background Children with chronic illness and life limiting conditions are often more prone to respiratory illnesses due to problems with increased secretions and reduced ability to clear them. The aim of rapid response physiotherapists (RRP) in this patient demographic is to reduce frequency of lower respiratory tract infections and ultimately A and E attendances and admission to hospital. Methods We evaluated A and E attendances, hospital admissions and bed days for patients with life limiting conditions felt to be at risk of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections before and after the introduction of a RRP service. Results 10 children were eligible for inclusion in analysis before and 15 children were identified after the introduction of a RRP. A and E attendances before and after RRP (per patient per year) were 2.5 and 1.8 respectively. Hospital admissions were 1.4 admissions per patient per year in both groups. Length of hospital stay, or bed days had the biggest reduction between groups with 13.4 (days per patient per year) before and 4.8 after RRP. Conclusions We have shown that with the introduction of an RRP the number of A and E attendances and hospital bed days has reduced in absolute terms. Whilst the difference is only small, reduction in hospital contact in a cohort where quality of life is of upmost importance is paramount. To truly analyse this data statistically a larger sample size is needed.

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August 2019 List