A bronchiolitis integrated care pathway for children

Abstract

There is currently no standard in the UK for the management and prevention of bronchiolitis, leading to widespread variation in the management of infants. The authors feel that existing guidelines are not followed as a result of a lack of understanding and motivation to ensure that the necessary services and funding are available to manage patients according to recommendations. This pathway was developed to facilitate the implementation of standardized care for infants with or at risk for bronchiolitis. The integrated care pathway (ICP) for bronchiolitis was developed by a multidisciplinary steering group over the course of four facilitated workshops. During these workshops the steering group defined the ideal patient journey and then detailed each of the steps in the pathway with the information that should be assessed and collected to optimally manage patients. The results of the pathway development process and the ICP itself are the process map, ICP forms and the evidence review including commissioning outcomes. This ICP for bronchiolitis is based on expert consensus, multistakeholder input and a critique of published evidence. The steering group urges health professionals to work together across networks to improve the care for children both at risk for and with bronchiolitis.