Open AccessAppropriateness of Emergency Department Use in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Author(s) -
Hoffenberg Edward J.,
Park K.T.,
Dykes Dana M.,
Fridge Jacqueline,
Kappelman Michael D.,
Leibowitz Ian H.,
Tsou V. Marc,
Colletti Richard B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0000000000000457
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , inflammatory bowel disease , disease , retrospective cohort study , health care , emergency medicine , medline , pediatrics , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , surgery , nursing , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Objectives: We sought to characterize emergency department (ED) encounters for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to identify areas for prevention. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 5 consecutive ED encounters at 7 centers was performed. Results: Of 35 unique encounters by 32 patients, 3 main factors contributed to ED utilization: disease severity or course, day or time of care, and physician instruction. Of the ED encounters, approximately one‐fifth were judged medically unnecessary, and one‐half avoidable in a more optimal health care system. Conclusions: ED visits by pediatric patients with IBD may be reduced in a more optimal health care system.