RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Paediatric severe asthma biologics service: from hospital to home
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP archdischild-2020-320626
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320626
A1 Sukeshi Makhecha
A1 Angela Jamalzadeh
A1 Samantha Irving
A1 Pippa Hall
A1 Samatha Sonnappa
A1 Sejal Saglani
A1 Andrew Bush
A1 Louise Fleming
YR 2021
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/14/archdischild-2020-320626.abstract
AB Children with severe asthma may be treated with biologic agents normally requiring 2–4 weekly injections in hospital. In March 2020, due to COVID-19, we needed to minimise hospital visits. We assessed whether biologics could be given safely at home. The multidisciplinary team identified children to be considered for home administration. This was virtually observed using a video link, and home spirometry was also performed. Feedback was obtained from carers and young people. Of 23 patients receiving biologics, 16 (70%) families agreed to homecare administration, 14 administered by parents/patients and 2 by a local nursing team. Video calls for omalizumab were observed on 56 occasions, mepolizumab on 19 occasions over 4 months (April–July). Medication was administered inaccurately on 2/75 occasions without any adverse events. Virtually observed home biologic administration in severe asthmatic children, supported by video calls and home spirometry, is feasible, safe and is positively perceived by children and their families