Abstract
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted multiple aspects of care at pediatric long-term care facilities (pLTCFs). This study evaluated the effect of COVID-19 infection control policies on pLTCF resident’s respiratory health.
Methods:
A retrospective study of 76 residents’ oxygen, albuterol, hypertonic saline (HTS), and pulmonary hygiene treatment use from January 2019 to December 2022 was completed using de-identified billing data and chart review.
Results:
There was a statistically significant increase in rate of oxygen use among residents (5.67; 95% CI 3.44–7.8; P < 0.001) during the study period, but at a slower rate than expected by the pre-pandemic trend (−4.89; 95% CI −7.20–2.59; P < 0.001). HTS use decreased during the study period, with a change in the prior trend to downward (−3.43; −5.89–9.68; P = 0.007). There was no significant change in albuterol or pulmonary hygiene treatment.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that patterns of oxygen and HTS use in a pLTCF changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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