At-Home Monitoring Significantly Reduces Hospital Visits for Children with Asthma

Recent research presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Amsterdam highlights the positive impact of at-home monitoring on children with asthma. The study reveals that children who utilize remote monitoring tools are approximately 50% less likely to visit emergency departments or require hospitalization compared to those receiving standard care without such tools. The remote monitoring system involves families using an app about once a month to report symptoms, track lung function, and access tailored treatment plans. This system helps keep asthma symptoms under control and reduces the need for in-person outpatient visits.

The study analyzed data from 2,528 children aged 6 to 18 across six Dutch hospitals between 2017 and 2023. Of these, 1,374 used remote monitoring at least part of the time, while 2,236 did not. Children were followed for two to three years, with researchers noting a nearly 49% decrease in emergency hospital visits and a 57% reduction in hospitalizations among those using remote monitoring. The system, called Luchtbrug, not only aids symptom management but also alerts healthcare providers if children’s conditions worsen, enabling timely adjustments to treatment.

Dr. Martinus Oppelaar from Radboud University Medical Center explained that their earlier clinical trials demonstrated remote monitoring could replace half of routine outpatient appointments. With the platform now scaled for routine care, real-world data confirms its effectiveness at preventing severe asthma episodes.

Furthermore, the study found that overall levels of asthma control improved, with well-managed cases increasing from 77% to 86%. Experts believe that integrating remote monitoring into standard treatment can enhance children’s quality of life and self-management skills, while reducing healthcare costs. As Dr. Louise Fleming from Imperial College London remarked, this approach is promising in keeping children with asthma out of hospitals and emergency rooms, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.[source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-children-asthma-home-hospital.html]