Continuous pulse oximetry monitoring in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis: A qualitative analysis of clinicians' justifications

Continuous pulse oximetry (cSpO₂) monitoring use outside established guidelines is common in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis. We analyzed clinicians' real-time rationale for continuous monitoring in stable children with bronchiolitis not requiring supplemental oxygen. Data for this study were collected as part a multicenter deimplementation trial for cSpO₂ in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis. We analyzed 371 clinician responses across 36 hospitals; 258 (70%) responses did not include a clinical reason for monitoring (“nonclinical”; e.g., respondent forgot to discontinue monitoring, did not know why the patient was monitored, or was following an order). The remaining 113 (30%) responses contained a clinical reason for monitoring (“clinical”; e.g., recently requiring oxygen, physical exam concerns, or concerns relating to patient condition or history). Strategies to reduce unnecessary monitoring should include changes in workflow to facilitate shared understanding of monitoring goals and timely discontinuation of monitoring.