Examining low-value care in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis

Low-value Care, and Variation in Practice for Children Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis - a Multicentric Prospective Observational Study

This study looks at how often unnecessary tests and treatments are used for babies in the hospital with bronchiolitis to help improve their care and reduce costs.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 3000 (estimated)
• Ages: 28 Days to 12 Months
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: St. Justine's Hospital (other)
• Locations: 15 sites (Calgary, Alberta and 14 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06506474 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the use of six low-value healthcare services in infants aged 1 to 12 months who are hospitalized with bronchiolitis across multiple Canadian hospitals. It aims to measure the frequency, costs, and variability of these services, which include respiratory virus testing and chest x-rays. By analyzing the patterns and predictors of low-value care, the study seeks to enhance understanding of inpatient management for bronchiolitis and inform future interventions to reduce unnecessary healthcare practices. The findings could contribute to improving the quality and sustainability of pediatric healthcare.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are infants aged over 28 days to under 12 months who are admitted to a pediatric ward with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis.

Not a fit: Patients who have been previously recruited for the study or are admitted for the same incident of bronchiolitis at another site may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to reduced unnecessary interventions and improved care for infants with bronchiolitis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in addressing low-value care in pediatric populations, making this approach both relevant and necessary.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged \>28 days to \<12 months
* Children admitted to a pediatric inpatient ward with an admission diagnosis of bronchiolitis

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Children previously recruited for the study, either during a previous bronchiolitis admission or for the same incident of bronchiolitis, while admitted to another study site.

Where this trial is running

Calgary, Alberta and 14 other locations

• Alberta Children's Hospital — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Stollery Children's Hospital — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• British Columbia Children's Hospital — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (RECRUITING)
• IWK Health — Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING)
• McMaster Children's Hospital — Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Kingston Health Science Centre — Kingston, Ontario, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Children's Hospital of Western Ontario (London Health Science Centre) — London, Ontario, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Lakeridge Health — Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Hospital for Sick Children — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Centre hospitalier Cité-de-la-Santé — Laval, Quebec, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (RECRUITING)
• CHU Sainte-Justine — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (RECRUITING)
• Montreal Children's Hospital — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Centre Hospitalier Université Laval - Centre Mère-Enfant Soleil — Québec, Quebec, Canada (ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Olivier Drouin, MD, MSc, MPH — CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre
• Study coordinator: Olivier Drouin, MD, MSc, MPH

Conditions: Bronchiolitis, infants, hospitalization, bronchiolitis, low-value care, observational study