Effectiveness of the “Score de Alerta Precoz Infantil” (SAPI) in the assesment of pediatric patients affected by bronchiolitis

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Early Childhood Alert Score (SAPI) in the early detection of the clinical deterioration of the pediatric patient affected by bronchiolitis.

Material and methods. A non-randomized longitudinal observational study was conducted between November and December 2018. A nonrandomized longitudinal observational design was used. Patients with an age less than or equal to 24 months admitted to the general pediatrics unit of the La Paz University Hospital were included. A data collection sheet was designed that included the variables that measured the SAPI scale and four interventions that suggested a clinical deterioration of the patient. Qualitative variables were described by absolute frequencies and percentages and quantitative variables, by mean and standard deviation.

Results and discussion. The sample size was 32 patients. For each unit that increases the score of the scale, the probability of intensification of the nursing assessment and of notification to the doctor is 9 and 4 times higher, respectively. The probability of increased oxygen therapy and intensification of drug treatment is approximately 2 times higher with each unit that increases the scale score.

Conclusions. The scale responds to changes in the patient's condition, allowing an objective assessment of the clinical deterioration of the pediatric patient with a medical diagnosis of bronchiolitis.