Management of children visiting the emergency department during out-of-office hours: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The aim was to study the characteristics and management of children visiting the emergency department (ED) during out-of-office hours.

Methods

We analysed electronic health record data from 119 204 children visiting one of five EDs in four European countries. Patient characteristics and management (diagnostic tests, treatment, hospital admission and paediatric intensive care unit admission) were compared between children visiting during office hours and evening shifts, night shifts and weekend day shifts. Analyses were corrected for age, gender, Manchester Triage System urgency, abnormal vital signs, presenting problems and hospital.

Results

Patients presenting at night were younger (median (IQR) age: 3.7 (1.4-8.2) years vs 4.8 (1.8-9.9)), more often classi

SUBMITTER: Schinkelshoek G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7493126 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature