Quality of life of families with premature infants on home oxygen

Abstract

AimsTo identify our home oxygen therapy (HOT) population in an outer city acute hospital and the effect of HOT on the quality of life of those caring for such patients. MethodsQuestionnaire was completed by parents/carers of infants on home oxygen therapy attending the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) clinic from October 2014 to February 2015. An in house devised quality of life assessment tool was used within the questionnaire. ResultsOur study found that more than 71% of parents/carers stated that their relationships were ‘not at all’ affected by their infant having home oxygen therapy. At least 92% of parents felt their quality of life in relation to holidays was affected by having an infant on home oxygen. Furthermore, the audit found that there was a significant difference between 71% parents/carers saying all was good compared to 92% of parents/carers expressed their holidays were affected. ConclusionsOur study found that most parents/carers felt well supported by the community neonatal nurses/children's home care team and having an infant on home oxygen had minimal impact on their financial security.