Caregivers' poor asthma knowledge linked to longer hospital stay for kids

Pediatric patients whose caregivers had poor asthma knowledge were four times more likely to have a prolonged hospital stay — defined as more than two days, according to research presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting.

The researchers looked at 72 children ages 2-17 who had been hospitalized with asthma. Caregivers completed a questionnaire when their child was admitted, when they were discharged and four to six weeks after discharge.

If the caregiver had poor asthma knowledge when their child was admitted, the researchers found the odds were four times greater that the child's length of hospital stay would be longer than two days. If caregivers had good asthma knowledge, the odds were strong that the patient's stay would be less than two days.

To improve asthma education during hospitalization for children and their families, hospital staff provided interactive material that covered general asthma knowledge as well as asthma triggers and ways to control them. Caregivers also received demonstrations on correct inhaler technique and learned how to use an asthma action plan.

"We focused on providing families with a better understanding of medications, their use, side effects and correct technique for use of devices to help improve use," said lead study author Deepti Deshpande, MD. "After the education program, caregivers showed an increase in their general asthma knowledge."

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