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Montoro-Pérez N, Montejano-Lozoya R, Escribano S, Richart-Martínez M. Factors associated with non-urgent presentations in the paediatric emergency department using Andersen's behavioural model: A cross-sectional descriptive study. J Clin Nurs 2024; 33:3172-3187. [PMID: 38258512 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the rate of NUPs and associated factors in the PED of the 'Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe' in Valencia (Spain) using Andersen's Behavioural Model. METHODS We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using Andersen's Behavioural Model in parents visiting the PED with their children at the 'Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe' in Valencia (Spain). RESULTS The study involved a total of 530 participants, of whom 419 (79%) had made an NUP. The predisposing factors identified were: (I) paediatric patients brought in by their fathers (OR = 0.460; p = 0.005), (II) lower educational attainment (OR = 3.841; p = 0.000), (III) first-time parenthood (OR = 2.335; p = 0.000) and (IV) higher parental stress (OR = 1.974; p = 0.023). The enabling factors included: (I) responsibility for a significant part of the childcare shared with others (OR = 0.348; p = 0.041) and (II) the perception that PEDs provide better care than primary care (PC) services (OR = 1.628; p = 0.005). The need factors were: (I) existing chronic illness in the child seeking care (OR = 0.343; p = 0.000) and (II) the perceived severity of the urgency (OR = 0.440; p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS The NUP rates found in this study are similar to those found internationally. In accordance with Andersen's Behavioural Model, we identify predisposing, enabling and need factors to explain the multifactorial nature of NUPs in PEDs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Identifying the factors associated with NUPs enables interventions to be targeted at those groups most likely to engage in NUPs, thereby optimising the functioning of the PED and improving the well-being of children and families. These interventions should focus on improving parental health literacy, providing education on making appropriate decisions about accessing health services and recognising severe symptoms in children, as well as improving access to high-quality PC services. Providing support to parents during the transition to parenthood would also be beneficial. REPORTING METHOD This paper adheres to the STROBE initiative guidelines. CONTRIBUTION FROM PATIENTS OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Participants, who voluntarily agreed to take part, contributed to the study by completing a paper-based questionnaire containing all the study variables as prepared by the research team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Montoro-Pérez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Person-Centred Care and Health Outcomes Innovation Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
- GREIACC Research Group La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Escribano
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Person-Centred Care and Health Outcomes Innovation Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - Miguel Richart-Martínez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Person-Centred Care and Health Outcomes Innovation Group, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
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Davies F, Edwards M, Price D, Anderson P, Carson-Stevens A, Choudhry M, Cooke M, Dale J, Donaldson L, Evans BA, Harrington B, Harris S, Hepburn J, Hibbert P, Hughes T, Hussain F, Islam S, Pockett R, Porter A, Siriwardena AN, Snooks H, Watkins A, Edwards A, Cooper A. Evaluation of different models of general practitioners working in or alongside emergency departments: a mixed-methods realist evaluation. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE DELIVERY RESEARCH 2024; 12:1-152. [PMID: 38687611 DOI: 10.3310/jwqz5348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Emergency healthcare services are under intense pressure to meet increasing patient demands. Many patients presenting to emergency departments could be managed by general practitioners in general practitioner-emergency department service models. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, patient experience and system implications of the different general practitioner-emergency department models. Design Mixed-methods realist evaluation. Methods Phase 1 (2017-8), to understand current practice: rapid realist literature review, national survey and follow-up key informant interviews, national stakeholder event and safety data analysis. Phase 2 (2018-21), to collect and analyse qualitative (observations, interviews) and quantitative data (time series analysis); cost-consequences analysis of routine data; and case site data for 'marker condition' analysis from a purposive sample of 13 case sites in England and Wales. Phase 3 (2021-2), to conduct mixed-methods analysis for programme theory and toolkit development. Results General practitioners commonly work in emergency departments, but delivery models vary widely in terms of the scope of the general practitioner role and the scale of the general practitioner service. We developed a taxonomy to describe general practitioner-emergency department service models (Integrated with the emergency department service, Parallel within the emergency department, Outside the emergency department on the hospital site) and present a programme theory as principal output of the study to describe how these service models were observed to operate. Routine data were of variable quality, limiting our analysis. Time series analysis demonstrated trends across intervention sites for: increased time spent in the emergency department; increased emergency department attendances and reattendances; and mixed results for hospital admissions. Evidence on patient experience was limited but broadly supportive; we identified department-level processes to optimise the safety of general practitioner-emergency department models. Limitations The quality, heterogeneity and extent of routine emergency department data collection during the study period limited the conclusions. Recruitment was limited by criteria for case sites (time series requirements) and individual patients (with 'marker conditions'). Pandemic and other pressures limited data collection for marker condition analysis. Data collected and analysed were pre pandemic; new approaches such as 'telephone first' and their relevance to our findings remains unexplored. Conclusion Findings suggest that general practitioner-emergency department service models do not meet the aim of reducing the overall emergency department waiting times and improving patient flow with limited evidence of cost savings. Qualitative data indicated that general practitioners were often valued as members of the wider emergency department team. We have developed a toolkit, based on our findings, to provide guidance for implementing and delivering general practitioner-emergency department services. Future work The emergency care data set has since been introduced across England to help standardise data collection to facilitate further research. We would advocate the systematic capture of patient experience measures and patient-reported outcome measures as part of routine care. More could be done to support the development of the general practitioner in emergency department role, including a core set of competencies and governance structure, to reflect the different general practitioner-emergency department models and to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness to guide future policy. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017069741. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR award ref: 15/145/04) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 12, No. 10. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya Davies
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michelle Edwards
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Delyth Price
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Pippa Anderson
- Bangor Institute for Health and Medical Research, Bangor University, Wales, UK
| | | | - Mazhar Choudhry
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Matthew Cooke
- Professor of Clinical Systems Design, Warwick Medical School, Warwick, UK
| | - Jeremy Dale
- Professor of Clinical Systems Design, Warwick Medical School, Warwick, UK
| | | | - Bridie Angela Evans
- PRIME Centre Wales, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Shaun Harris
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Julie Hepburn
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Faris Hussain
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Saiful Islam
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Rhys Pockett
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, School of Health and Social Care, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Alison Porter
- PRIME Centre Wales, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | - Helen Snooks
- PRIME Centre Wales, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Alan Watkins
- PRIME Centre Wales, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Adrian Edwards
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Alison Cooper
- PRIME Centre Wales, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Westin E, Gustafsson IL, Svensson A, Sund-Levander M, Elmqvist C. Advising parents when their child has a fever: a phenomenographic analysis of nurses' perceptions when working at a telephone helpline, at primary care or at a paediatric emergency department in Sweden. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e074823. [PMID: 38286694 PMCID: PMC10826557 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe nurses' perceptions of advising parents when their child has a fever. DESIGN/METHOD Inductive, descriptive study with a qualitative, phenomenographic approach. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A purposive sampling was used. To be included, the 24 online interviewed nurses had to have experience advising parents of febrile children between birth and 5 years of age. They were recruited from three different parts of the healthcare system from four regions in the south of Sweden. RESULTS The nurses described advising parents when their child has a fever as four different kinds of balancing acts: balancing between the parents' story and objective assessment, balancing between listening and teaching, balancing between self-confidence and trust in the expert, and balancing between independence and having someone by one's side. CONCLUSIONS Giving advice to parents when their child has a fever is a process where the nurse needs to listen, assess and give advice based on the situation. This requires a correct assessment that depends on the parents' story. Creating a trusting relationship is perceived as necessary for parents to assimilate the advice that is provided. What dominates are the nurses' perceptions of the inner qualities required to achieve a balance in the process, for example, the importance of experience and security in their professional role, while it is also necessary to get support from colleagues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Westin
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Vaxjo, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | - Ingrid L Gustafsson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Vaxjo, Sweden
- Department of Caring Sciences, University College of Boras Faculty of Caring Science Work Life and Social Welfare, Boras, Sweden
| | - Anders Svensson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Vaxjo, Sweden
- Department of Ambulance Service, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
| | | | - Carina Elmqvist
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Vaxjo, Sweden
- Head of Research, Region Kronoberg, Vaxjo, Sweden
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Leung S, McDonald E, Watson A, Doan Q, Desai N. Community healthcare appointments as an alternative to emergency department assessment: an exploration of family acceptability and preferences. CAN J EMERG MED 2023; 25:984-991. [PMID: 37851318 DOI: 10.1007/s43678-023-00605-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric emergency departments are overcrowded, in part due to many non-emergent visits. We aimed to assess the proportion of parents interested in leaving the pediatric emergency department (ED) prior to physician assessment if they could be offered a scheduled community healthcare appointment. We explored differences in care children received in the ED stratified by interest in a community healthcare appointment and parents' reasons when they were not interested. METHODS We conducted a 14-item survey within the pediatric ED at a Canadian tertiary care teaching hospital to assess parents' interest if a program offered community healthcare appointments and we determined preferred appointment characteristics. All parents presenting with children triaged as CTAS 2-5 who met eligibility criteria were approached by a research assistant prior to physician assessment. Surveys were paired with the medical chart outlining the care received. Descriptive statistics and a regression model were used to describe characteristics of families and care received among those who were and were not interested in a community healthcare appointment. RESULTS In total, 403 surveys were completed. Overall, 236 participants (58.6%; 95% CI 53.8-63.4) were interested in a community healthcare appointment. In general, parents who were interested in a community healthcare appointment were younger and presented with younger children compared to those who were not interested. Among those interested, there was a preference to have the appointment with a pediatrician or family physician, timely access to an appointment, and appointments scheduled outside of regular business hours. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that there is interest in an alternative care access model positioned to reduce pediatric ED congestion. We found that parents would be interested in leaving the pediatric ED in favor of a community healthcare appointment, provided it was with a physician and available in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Leung
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erica McDonald
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Amy Watson
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Quynh Doan
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Neil Desai
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Redirecting Nonurgent Patients From the Pediatric Emergency Department to Their Pediatrician Office for a Same-Day Visit-A Quality Improvement Initiative. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:692-696. [PMID: 36318627 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Providing high-quality care in the appropriate setting to optimize value is a worthy goal of an efficient health system. Consequences of managing nonurgent complaints in the emergency department (ED) have been described including inefficiency, loss of the primary care-patient relationship, and delayed care for other ED patients. The purpose of this initiative was to redirect nonurgent patients arriving in the ED to their primary care office for a same-day visit, and the SMART AIM was to increase redirected patients from 0% of those eligible to 30% in a 12-month period. METHODS The setting was a pediatric ED (PED) and primary care office of a tertiary care pediatric medical system. The initiative utilized the electronic health record to identify and mediate the redirection of patients to the patient's primary care office after ED triage. The primary measurement was the percentage of eligible patients redirected. Additional measures included health benefits during the primary care visit (vaccines, well-visits) and a balancing measure of patients returned to the PED. RESULTS The SMART AIM of >30% redirection was achieved and sustained with a final redirection rate of 46%. In total, 216 of 518 eligible patients were redirected, with zero untoward outcomes. The encounter time for redirected patients was similar for those who remained in the PED, and additional health benefits were appreciated for redirected patients. CONCLUSIONS This initiative redirected nonurgent patients efficiently from a PED setting to their primary care office. The process is beneficial to patients and families and supports the patient-centered medical home. The balancing measure of no harm done to patients who accepted redirect reinforced the reliability of PED triage. The benefits achieved through the project highlight the value of the primary care-patient relationship and the continued need to improve access for patients and families.
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Poole S, Ambardekar E, Gablehouse B, Joslyn L, Jaramillo S, Hegarty T, Foster J, Peters C, Lamb M, Armon C, Schmitt B, Todd J. Office "Phone First" Systems Reduce Emergency Department/Urgent Care Utilization by Medicaid-Enrolled Children. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:606-613. [PMID: 34902565 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency department and urgent care (ED/UC) visits for common conditions can be more expensive with less continuity than office care provided by primary care physicians. METHODS We used quality-improvement methods to enhance telephone triage for pediatric patients by adding additional "Phone First" services including: 1) enhanced office-hours telephone triage and advice with available same-day appointments, 2) follow-up calls to parents of children self-referred to an ED/UC, and 3) parent education to telephone the office for advice prior to seeking acute care. We hypothesized that enhanced office services would reduce ED/UC utilization and cost. We compared changes in ED/UC encounter rates between intervention and regional practices for 4 years (2014-2017) using general linear models, and evaluated balancing measures (after-hour phone calls, acute care phone calls, acute care visits, well child visits) for Medicaid-enrolled and commercially-insured children. RESULTS The study practices dramatically increased office-hours acute care phone triage and advice which correlated with 23.8% to 80.5% (P < 0.001) reductions in ED/UC rates for Medicaid-enrolled children. Office acute care visits decreased modestly. ED/UC visits did not decrease for children in the comparison region. In phone surveys, 94% of parents indicated satisfaction with the ED/UC follow-up call. The decrease in ED/UC visits resulted in an estimated annual cost of care savings for Medicaid-enrolled children in 2017 of $12.61 per member per month which projected to $169 million cost of care savings in Colorado and $6.8 billion in the United States. CONCLUSION "Phone First" services in pediatric practices during office-hours reduced ED/UC encounters and cost of care for Medicaid-enrolled children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Poole
- Children's Hospital Colorado (S Poole, T Hegarty, C Armon, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo; University of Colorado (S Poole, C Peters, M Lamb, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - Erin Ambardekar
- Children's Medical Center (E Ambardekar, L Joslyn, and S Jaramillo), Denver, Colo
| | | | - Lorie Joslyn
- Children's Medical Center (E Ambardekar, L Joslyn, and S Jaramillo), Denver, Colo
| | - Shannon Jaramillo
- Children's Medical Center (E Ambardekar, L Joslyn, and S Jaramillo), Denver, Colo
| | - Teresa Hegarty
- Children's Hospital Colorado (S Poole, T Hegarty, C Armon, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - Jennifer Foster
- Rocky Mountain Heath Centers Pediatrics (J Foster), Aurora, Colo
| | - Chelsea Peters
- University of Colorado (S Poole, C Peters, M Lamb, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - Molly Lamb
- University of Colorado (S Poole, C Peters, M Lamb, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - Carl Armon
- Children's Hospital Colorado (S Poole, T Hegarty, C Armon, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - Barton Schmitt
- Children's Hospital Colorado (S Poole, T Hegarty, C Armon, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo; University of Colorado (S Poole, C Peters, M Lamb, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo
| | - James Todd
- Children's Hospital Colorado (S Poole, T Hegarty, C Armon, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo; University of Colorado (S Poole, C Peters, M Lamb, B Schmitt, and J Todd), Aurora, Colo.
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Gou Y, Ungvijanpunya N, Chen L, Zeng Y, Ye H, Cao L. Clear aligner VS fixed self-ligating appliances: Orthodontic emergency during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2021; 161:e400-e406. [PMID: 35058102 PMCID: PMC8687756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The aim was to investigate the type, incidence, and degree of orthodontic-related emergencies in orthodontic patients during the 2020 coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and compare the different effects of clear aligner (CA) and fixed self-ligating appliances on the orthodontic emergency. Methods The questionnaire was based on emergencies in orthodontics. The responses of 428 patients between the ages of 12 and 38 years (20.4 ± 7.03) in orthodontic treatment during 2020 were examined. Results The gender, age, and the type of orthodontic appliance affect the incidence of orthodontic-related emergencies. Female or adolescent patients treated by self-ligating appliances showed a higher incidence of emergencies. The patients treated by CA exhibited a much lower incidence of emergency. Appliance detachment and mucosa injury were very common in respondents, whereas accidental ingestion and other rare emergencies were less common. The most common reason leading to appliance detachment was chewing hard food. Interestingly, the fixed self-ligating appliances group was also affected by the accidental detachment of appliances to a large extent. The CA and self-ligating groups showed an almost equal incidence of accidental ingestion. The most common foreign body was elastics in both groups. However, the self-ligating group could accidentally ingest dangerous foreign bodies, such as archwires, miniscrews, and welded attachments. Conclusions Orthodontic-related emergencies were very common in patients. The CA could effectively reduce orthodontic-related emergencies. Dentists should raise patients’ awareness of proper appliance care. A proper and standard protocol should be developed.
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Ellbrant J, Åkeson J, Sletten H, Eckner J, Karlsland Åkeson P. Adjacent Primary Care May Reduce Less Urgent Pediatric Emergency Department Visits. J Prim Care Community Health 2020; 11:2150132720926276. [PMID: 32501136 PMCID: PMC7278310 DOI: 10.1177/2150132720926276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Pediatric emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a challenge. This study was designed to evaluate if a hospital-integrated primary care unit (HPCU) reduces less urgent visits at a pediatric ED. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out at a university hospital in Sweden, where the HPCU, open outside office hours, had been integrated next to the ED. Children seeking ED care during 4-week high- and low-load study periods before (2012) and after (2015) implementation of the HPCU were included. Information on patient characteristics, ED management, and length of ED stay was obtained from hospital data registers. Results: In total, 3216 and 3074 ED patient visits were recorded in 2012 and 2015, respectively. During opening hours of the HPCU, the proportions of pediatric ED visits (28% lower; P < .001), visits in the lowest triage group (36% lower; P < .001), patients presenting with fever (P = .001) or ear pain (P < .001), and nonadmitted ED patients (P = .033), were significantly lower in 2015 than in 2012, whereas the proportion of infants ≤3 months was higher in 2015 (P < .001). Conclusions: By enabling adjacent management of less urgent pediatric patients at adequate lower levels of medical care, implementation of a HPCU outside office hours may contribute to fewer and more appropriate pediatric ED visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ellbrant
- Department of Clinical Scienses Malmö, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jonas Åkeson
- Department of Clinical Scienses Malmö, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Helena Sletten
- Department of Clinical Scienses Malmö, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jenny Eckner
- Department of Clinical Scienses Malmö, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Pia Karlsland Åkeson
- Department of Clinical Scienses Malmö, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Cooper A, Davies F, Edwards M, Anderson P, Carson-Stevens A, Cooke MW, Donaldson L, Dale J, Evans BA, Hibbert PD, Hughes TC, Porter A, Rainer T, Siriwardena A, Snooks H, Edwards A. The impact of general practitioners working in or alongside emergency departments: a rapid realist review. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e024501. [PMID: 30975667 PMCID: PMC6500276 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Worldwide, emergency healthcare systems are under intense pressure from ever-increasing demand and evidence is urgently needed to understand how this can be safely managed. An estimated 10%-43% of emergency department patients could be treated by primary care services. In England, this has led to a policy proposal and £100 million of funding (US$130 million), for emergency departments to stream appropriate patients to a co-located primary care facility so they are 'free to care for the sickest patients'. However, the research evidence to support this initiative is weak. DESIGN Rapid realist literature review. SETTING Emergency departments. INCLUSION CRITERIA Articles describing general practitioners working in or alongside emergency departments. AIM To develop context-specific theories that explain how and why general practitioners working in or alongside emergency departments affect: patient flow; patient experience; patient safety and the wider healthcare system. RESULTS Ninety-six articles contributed data to theory development sourced from earlier systematic reviews, updated database searches (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane DSR & CRCT, DARE, HTA Database, BSC, PsycINFO and SCOPUS) and citation tracking. We developed theories to explain: how staff interpret the streaming system; different roles general practitioners adopt in the emergency department setting (traditional, extended, gatekeeper or emergency clinician) and how these factors influence patient (experience and safety) and organisational (demand and cost-effectiveness) outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Multiple factors influence the effectiveness of emergency department streaming to general practitioners; caution is needed in embedding the policy until further research and evaluation are available. Service models that encourage the traditional general practitioner approach may have shorter process times for non-urgent patients; however, there is little evidence that this frees up emergency department staff to care for the sickest patients. Distinct primary care services offering increased patient choice may result in provider-induced demand. Economic evaluation and safety requires further research. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017069741.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Cooper
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Freya Davies
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michelle Edwards
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Pippa Anderson
- Centre for Health Economics, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | | | - Liam Donaldson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Dale
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Peter D Hibbert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- University of South Australia Division of Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas C Hughes
- Emergency Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Alison Porter
- College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Tim Rainer
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Helen Snooks
- College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Adrian Edwards
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Ellbrant J, Åkeson J, Eckner J, Karlsland Åkeson P. Influence of social characteristics on use of paediatric emergency care in Sweden - a questionnaire based study. BMC Emerg Med 2018; 18:59. [PMID: 30587134 PMCID: PMC6307227 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-018-0210-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parental social characteristics influence the use of emergency departments (ED) in the USA, but less is known about paediatric ED care-seeking in countries with national health insurance. This prospective study was designed to evaluate associations between parental care-seeking and social characteristics, with emphasis on impact of non-native origin, at a paediatric ED in Sweden, a European country providing paediatric healthcare free of charge. Methods Parents attending a paediatric ED at a large urban university hospital filled out a questionnaire on social characteristics and reasons for care-seeking. Information on patient characteristics and initial management was obtained from ED registers and patient records. Paediatric ED physicians assessed the medical appropriateness of each patient visit triaged for ED care. Results In total, 962 patient visits were included. Telephone healthline service before the paediatric ED visit was less often used by non-native parents (63/345 vs. 249/544, p < 0.001). Low-aquity visits, triaged away from the ED, were more common among non-native parents (80/368 vs. 67/555, OR = 1.66; p = 0.018), and among those reporting lower abilities in the Swedish language (23/82 vs. 120/837, OR = 2.66; p = 0.003). Children of non-native parents were more often assessed by physicians not to require ED care (122/335 vs. 261/512, OR = 0.70; p = 0.028). Conclusions This study confirms more direct and less urgent use of paediatric ED care by parents of non-native origin or with limited abilities in the Swedish language, proposing that parental social characteristics influence paediatric ED care-seeking, also in a country with healthcare free of charge, and that specific needs of these groups should be better met by prehospital medical services. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12873-018-0210-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Ellbrant
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, SE-20502, Malmö, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Surgery, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Jan Waldenströms gata 11 A, SE-20502, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Åkeson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, SE-20502, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jenny Eckner
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Surgery, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Jan Waldenströms gata 11 A, SE-20502, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Pia Karlsland Åkeson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Paediatrics, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, SE-20502, Malmö, Sweden
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Martens LC, Rajasekharan S, Jacquet W, Vandenbulcke JD, Van Acker JWG, Cauwels RGEC. Paediatric dental emergencies: a retrospective study and a proposal for definition and guidelines including pain management. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2018; 19:245-253. [PMID: 29949083 DOI: 10.1007/s40368-018-0353-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM This was primarily to perform a retrospective analysis of 1000 emergency dental visits in order to characterize the nature of the dental emergency and the treatment provided and secondly to define a guideline for dental emergency treatment in children including pain management. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of 1000 patients (aged 0-16 years) who visited the dental emergency service of the paediatric dental clinic at the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium over a period of 3 years. Data regarding age, gender, reason for visit, year of visit, consequent appointments and treatment provided were collected. Statistical analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution) and Chi-square test, with significance level set as P < 0.05. RESULTS The number of patients visiting with a dental emergency increased annually. Approximately half (50.2%) of all paediatric dental emergency consultations were based on pain due to caries and its consequences. More than a quartile (26.7%) of emergency patients suffered from dental trauma of either primar or permanent teeth. The majority (96.7%) of the patients reported pain, 16.3% of the patients did not necessarily need immediate attention. CONCLUSION Dental emergencies in a university hospital based setting were predominantly related to caries and trauma. A precise definition of dental emergencies is recommended in order to prevent abuse of paediatric emergency services.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Martens
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, PaeCoMeDiS Research Cluster, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 (P8), 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - S Rajasekharan
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, PaeCoMeDiS Research Cluster, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 (P8), 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - W Jacquet
- Oral Health Research Group ORHE, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, VUB Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Educational Sciences EDWE-LOCI, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, VUB Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J D Vandenbulcke
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, PaeCoMeDiS Research Cluster, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 (P8), 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J W G Van Acker
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, PaeCoMeDiS Research Cluster, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 (P8), 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - R G E C Cauwels
- Department of Paediatric Dentistry, PaeCoMeDiS Research Cluster, Ghent University, C. Heymanslaan 10 (P8), 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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Ellbrant JA, Åkeson SJ, Karlsland Åkeson PM. Influence of awareness and availability of medical alternatives on parents seeking paediatric emergency care. Scand J Public Health 2017; 46:456-462. [PMID: 29017396 DOI: 10.1177/1403494817735222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Direct seeking of care at paediatric emergency departments may result from an inadequate awareness or a short supply of medical alternatives. We therefore evaluated the care-seeking patterns, availability of medical options and initial medical assessments - with overall reference to socioeconomic status - of parents at an urban paediatric emergency department in a Scandinavian country providing free paediatric healthcare. METHODS The parents of children assessed by paediatric emergency department physicians at a Swedish university hospital over a 25-day winter period completed a questionnaire on recent medical contacts and their reasons for attendance. Additional information was obtained from ledgers, patient records and population demographics. RESULTS In total, 657 of 713 eligible patients (92%) were included. Seventy-nine per cent of their parents either failed to or managed to establish medical contact before the emergency department visit, whereas 21% sought care with no attempt at recent medical contact. Visits with a failed telephone or primary care contact (18%) were more common outside office hours ( p=0.014) and were scored as less urgent ( p=0.014). A perceived emergency was the main reason for no attempt at medical contact before the visit. Direct emergency department care-seeking was more common from the city district with the lowest socioeconomic status ( p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS Although most parents in this Swedish study tried to seek medical advice before attending a paediatric emergency department, perceived emergency, a short supply of telephone health line or primary care facilities and lower socioeconomic status contributed to direct care-seeking by almost 40% of parents. Pre-hospital awareness and the availability of medical alternatives with an emphasis on major differences in socioeconomic status should therefore be considered to further optimize care-seeking in paediatric emergency departments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Ellbrant
- 1 Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - S Jonas Åkeson
- 1 Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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