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01-12-2012 | Original Paper

Determinants of nonurgent use of the emergency department for pediatric patients in 12 hospitals in Belgium

Authors: N. Benahmed, S. Laokri, W. H. Zhang, N. Verhaeghe, J. Trybou, L. Cohen, A. De Wever, S. Alexander

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 12/2012

Abstract

Introduction

The nonurgent use of the emergency department (ED) for pediatric patients is an increasing problem facing healthcare systems worldwide. To evaluate the magnitude of the phenomenon and to identify associated factors, an observational prospective survey was performed including all patients (<15 years) attending the ED in 12 Belgian hospitals during 2 weeks in autumn 2010. Use of ED was considered appropriate if at least one of the following criteria was met: child referred by doctor or police, brought by ambulance, in need for short stay, technical examination or orthopedic treatment, in-patient admission, or death. Among the 3,117 children, attending ED, 39.9 % (1,244) of visits were considered inappropriate. Five factors were significantly associated with inappropriate use: age of child, distance to ED, having a registered family doctor, out-of-hours visit, and geographic region. The adjusted odds ratio and 95 % confidence intervals are respectively—1.7 (1.3–2.0), 1.7 (1.3–2.2), 1.5 (1.1–2.2), 1.5 (1.2–1.9), and 0.6 (0.5–0.8).

Conclusions

Almost 40 % of all paediatric ED attendances did not require hospital expertise. The risk of an inappropriate use of ED by pediatrician patients is predominantly associated with organizational and cultural factors. Access, equity, quality of care, and medical human resources availability have to be taken into account to design financially sustainable model of care for those patients. Furthermore, future research is needed to explain reasons why parents visit ED rather than using of primary-care services.

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Title: Determinants of nonurgent use of the emergency department for pediatric patients in 12 hospitals in Belgium
Authors: N. Benahmed
S. Laokri
W. H. Zhang
N. Verhaeghe
J. Trybou
L. Cohen
A. De Wever
S. Alexander
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 12/2012
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-012-1853-y

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Determinants of nonurgent use of the emergency department for pediatric patients in 12 hospitals in Belgium

Abstract

Introduction

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Conclusions

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