Changes in Respiratory Care Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Pediatric Long-Term Care Facility.

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.