SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Bronchiolitis Hospitalizations Post-Covid: Benchmarks After the Breathless Years

Pdf Summary

This study examined how bronchiolitis care changed after the COVID-19 pandemic and whether hospitals were meeting “Achievable Benchmarks of Care” (ABCs), which are performance standards intended to reduce low-value testing and treatment. Researchers used Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) data from September 2018 through March 2025, including 170,765 inpatient or observation encounters in children aged 28 days to 2 years with bronchiolitis.<br /><br />The study assessed use of viral testing, chest x-rays (CXR), complete blood counts (CBCs), bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics. Findings showed that viral testing increased sharply from 39.9% before the pandemic to 67.6% post-pandemic, and it remained the area where the fewest hospitals met benchmark targets. Bronchodilator use was the second-worst area for performance gaps.<br /><br />CBC use stayed relatively stable over time, with little change in benchmark performance. CXR use remained close to pre-pandemic levels at 27.9%, and most hospitals stayed within 20 percentage points of the benchmark. Steroid use increased and remained elevated after the pandemic, rising from 10% to 14.1%. Antibiotic use dropped significantly early in the pandemic and stayed lower post-pandemic at 27.2%.<br /><br />Overall, the authors conclude that COVID-19 continues to influence bronchiolitis care patterns. The biggest opportunities for quality improvement are reducing viral testing and bronchodilator use, since these have the largest performance gaps relative to benchmarks.

Asset Subtitle

Sarah Marzec

Meta Tag

Author List Amy Tyler, Jay Berry, Jesse Hawke, Kavita Parikh, Matt Hall, Sarah Marzec

Category Research

Concept Achievable Benchmarks of Care

Concept Bronchiolitis

Concept Low-Value Care

Concept Benchmark

Concept Quality Improvement

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Nationwide Children's Hospital

Presenting Author Sarah Marzec

Track Pediatric

Keywords

bronchiolitis

COVID-19 pandemic

Achievable Benchmarks of Care

viral testing

bronchodilator use

chest x-ray

complete blood count

steroid use

antibiotic use

quality improvement

Achievable Benchmarks of Care

Bronchiolitis

Low-Value Care

Benchmark

Quality Improvement