Weight-based Flow Rates for Children With Bronchiolitis on High-Flow Nasal Cannula: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial

This is a pilot study comparing a weight-based high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) protocol with the current standard HFNC protocol for children <2yo admitted to South Shore Hospital with bronchiolitis. We currently use a flat limit of 8 liters of HFNC to support work of breathing and hypoxia in these patients. We will compare that to a weight-based protocol, which will provide 2L/kg/min of flow (flows generally between 6 and 20L/minute) to this patient population. The goal of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of our study design. We will evaluate the functionality of a new weight-based flow protocol. We will also evaluate the functionality of a new bronchiolitis scoring tool, the Bronchiolitis Assessment Severity Score (BASS), and it's ability to guide care through the new protocol. We are also testing the feasibility of recruitment, randomization and retention. We are ultimately interested in whether a weight-based flow protocol reduces need for escalation to ICU-level care for children with moderate-severe bronchiolitis on HFNC.