Is There a Need for an Observation Period in the Emergency Department after Mild Accidental Pediatric Blunt Head Injury?.

1. Introduction: The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of a clinical status change during the ED observation period requiring a change in disposition.2. Methods and Materials: This IRB approved prospective observational cohort study enrolled patients aged birth to 15 years old being evaluated within 6 hours of accidental blunt head injury with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) >14 and normal neurological examination. The medical record was reviewed for a change in clinical status during the ED observational period. 3. Results: One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled into this study. One patient had a clinical status change (emesis) during the ED observation period representing a 0.8% clinical status change. No patient regardless of observation length or intervention(s) chosen by the provider had a change in disposition.