Objective:

To describe the management of patients with bronchiolitis in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), where the recommendations of the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are used, in which support therapy is the basic treatment.

Material and methods:

Descriptive study of a consecutive sample of children who were admitted for acute bronchiolitis and treated in a PICU, between June 2016 and December 2017. Demographic information, clinical condition, risk factors, medical management and evolution were collected, until discharge of patients.

Results:

150 patients who met the selection criteria were identified. The median age was four months (IQR 2 - 9 months); 63.6% were men. A reduction in the use of medications in managing the PICU, compared to the previous management was observed. The use of invasive mechanical ventilation occurred in 18.2% (n = 27) and high-flow nasal cannulas in 76.8%. Bacterial co-infection was detected in 19.3%. Six patients died (4%).

Conclusion:

In patients with severe bronchiolitis the use of unnecessary medications is reduced when adhered to the CPG.