It is well recognised that high-quality, routine clinical care is important for good health outcomes. For bronchiectasis, this requires early recognition and treatment of cough which is one of the most common symptoms. Many children have a long history of wet cough before they are diagnosed with bronchiectasis and not surprisingly the duration of cough is also associated with worse lung function. A previous CRE study also identified that a cough post-hospitalisation for an acute lower respiratory infection predicted future bronchiectasis. Therefore, the identification and management of cough is important for good lung health outcomes and to potentially prevent bronchiectasis.

Aim

The aim of this study is to implement a multifaceted management plan for chronic wet cough.

Approach

The key elements of the plan are

• To provide culturally appropriate resources
• Educational outreach workshops
• Audit and feedback based on a CRE tool devised for primary care
• A health information public campaign
• To ensure children hospitalised for acute respiratory infections are review locally.

This study is funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).