PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Laird, P
AU  - Walker, R
AU  - Whitby, J
AU  - Gill, F
AU  - Mc Kinnon, E
AU  - Cooper, M
AU  - Chang, A
AU  - Schultz, A
TI  - Improved health outcomes for Aboriginal children hospitalised with chest infections
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2022.4335
DP  - 2022 Sep 04
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 4335
VI  - 60
IP  - suppl 66
4099  - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/60/suppl_66/4335.short
4100  - https://publications.ersnet.org//content/60/suppl_66/4335.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2022 Sep 04; 60
AB  - Introduction: Aboriginal children hospitalised with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) are vulnerable to developing bronchiectasis. Post-hospitalisation follow-up at 4-weeks allows for timely detection and management of chronic wet cough that typically represents protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB). Treatment of PBB could prevent progression to bronchiectasis.Aim: To improve health outcomes of Aboriginal children through implementing a programme addressing the barriers to medical follow-up post-hospitalisation for ALRIs.Methods: An Aboriginal participatory action and implementation science study was conducted at the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia from October 2019-December 2021. We implemented a programme to facilitate medical follow-up, which included 1) staff training, 2) information resources for parents, and 3) improved discharge summary processes. Outcomes were measured over 3 stepped time-periods: nil-intervention, health-information only and post-intervention.Results: 136 of the 180 recruited participants completed the study. Significantly more post-intervention participants received culturally secure health information (55%) and medical follow-up advice by clinicians (53%) compared to pre-intervention participants (19% and 9.5%, respectively) (p<0.001). Medical follow-up rates at 4 weeks post-discharge increased (14% nil-intervention, 51%post-intervention) (p<0.001) and the parent-reported cough-related quality of life measure significantly improved (p=0.003).Conclusion: Respiratory health outcomes of Aboriginal children hospitalised with ALRIs can be improved through implementing a programme to facilitate effective and timely medical follow-up.FootnotesCite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4335.This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).