Pilot study of a paediatric emergency department oral rehydration protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To ascertain if the use of a paediatric oral rehydration protocol in the emergency department changed rates of admission, total time spent in hospital, total time spent in the emergency department, or number of unscheduled returns to the emergency department.

Methods

A two month time period was analysed before and then after the adoption of an oral rehydration protocol for children presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of gastroenteritis. The rates of admission, total time spent in hospital, total time spent in the emergency department, and the rate of unscheduled returns were analysed using Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon testing for non-parametric data.

Results

The adoption of a paediatric rehydration protocol was associated with a si

SUBMITTER: Boyd R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1726656 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature