Busy Respiratory Seasons Call for Easy-to-Use Resources
Bronchiolitis is a common viral illness, most often caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and typically peaks during the late fall and winter months. With supportive care being key to effective treatment, ensuring appropriate hydration and oxygenation is important for effective management.
To support clinicians during busy respiratory seasons, TREKK offers evidence-based resources to guide the diagnosis, treatment, and management of bronchiolitis.
Evidence-Based Guidance for Frontline Care
TREKK’s Bottom Line Recommendations (BLR) on bronchiolitis provide a summary of best practices and the latest knowledge for frontline clinicians. This resource includes up-to-date evidence on:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Criteria for both hospitalization and safe discharge home
- Typical clinical course
- When to contact a pediatric referral centre or transport team
This resource was developed by Dr. Gabrielle Freire (The Hospital for Sick Children) and Dr. Amy Plint (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)), and was published in 2023.
In addition to TREKK’s BLR, clinicians can access the bronchiolitis evidence repository to find a curated collection of best available resources and evidence.
Expanding Learning Through Virtual Education
In December 2024, TREKK hosted a virtual education session on bronchiolitis for healthcare providers. This education session was led by Dr. Tracy Ridley (Winnipeg Children’s Emergency Department) and organized by TREKK and the University of Manitoba.
During the session, Dr. Ridley reviewed key topics, including:
- What is bronchiolitis?
- When investigations can be helpful
- Best practices for management
- Asthma vs. Bronchiolitis
- The importance of immunizations
Providing Accessible Resources to Inform Clinician Decisions
“Bronchiolitis is a clinical diagnosis, so chest x-rays are not helpful in the typical presentation,” says Dr. Amy Plint, “Care is predominantly supportive, such as using supplemental oxygen for persistent oxygen saturations that are less than 90% and fluids by NG or IV to maintain hydration if needed.”
Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of admission to hospital for children less than one year old. Even with the increasing uptake of RSV immunizations, bronchiolitis continues to be one of the leading causes of emergency department (ED) visits. TREKK’s straightforward, easy-to-access resources support clinicians in making informed decisions and avoiding unnecessary tests and treatments.
Supporting Healthcare Providers with the Latest Knowledge
TREKK’s bronchiolitis resources are designed to provide clinicians with timely, trustworthy guidance when caseloads are high, and decisions need to be made quickly. During peak respiratory seasons, having clear, evidence-based tools at your fingertips can make a meaningful difference in patient care.
Healthcare providers can access these bronchiolitis resources, along with TREKK’s full suite of pediatric evidence-based tools, on the TREKK website at any time.
