British Thoracic Society Paediatric Pneumonia Audit: a review of 3 years of data
- Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
- Correspondence to Dr Anne H Thomson, Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Anne.thomson{at}ouh.nhs.uk
- Received 20 November 2012
- Revised 20 November 2012
- Accepted 3 December 2012
- Published Online First 3 January 2013
Abstract
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in children are used as the audit standard for the annual BTS Paediatric Pneumonia Audit. This report examines 3 years of data from this national audit, highlighting trends in clinical practice and the impact of the 2011 revisions to the BTS guidelines. The findings suggest an over-reliance on investigations to diagnose pneumonia and underuse of oral antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin. There is inappropriate use of chest physiotherapy, outpatient appointments and repeat chest x-rays. Increasing adherence to the BTS guidelines would improve care and also preserve valuable secondary care resources.
