Health outcomes in US children with abdominal pain at major emergency departments associated with race and socioeconomic status

Understanding Disparities in the Pediatric ICU: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Health disparities are pervasive in pediatrics. We aimed to describe disparities among patients who are likely to be cared for in the PICU and delineate how sociodemographic data are collected and categorized.

METHODS

Using MEDLINE as a data source, we identified studies which included an objective to assess sociodemographic disparities among PICU patients in the United States. We created a review rubric, which included methods of sociodemographic data collection and analysis, outcome and exposure variables assessed, and study findings. Two authors reviewed every study. We used the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework to organize outcome and exposure variables.

RESULTS

The 136 studies included used variable methods of sociodemographic data collection and analysis. A total of 30 of 124 studies (24%) assessing racial disparities used self- or parent-identified race. More than half of the studies (52%) dichotomized race as white and "nonwhite" or "other" in some analyses. Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators also varied; only insurance status was used in a majority of studies (72%) evaluating SES. Consistent, although not uniform, disadvantages existed for racial minority populations and patients with indicators of lower SES. The authors of only 1 study evaluated an intervention intended to mitigate health disparities. Requiring a stated objective to evaluate disparities aimed to increase the methodologic rigor of included studies but excluded some available literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Variable, flawed methodologies diminish our understanding of disparities in the PICU. Meaningfully understanding and addressing health inequity requires refining how we collect, analyze, and interpret relevant data.

Project Inclusive Genetics: Protecting reproductive autonomy from bias via prenatal patient-centered counseling

Clinician bias negatively impacts the healthcare received by marginalized communities. In this study, we explored factors that influence clinician and trainee bias against individuals with intellectual disabilities and its impact on clinical judgment in prenatal genetic testing settings. Specifically, we examined bias toward a fetus with a higher chance of developing a disability. We compared genetics specialists with their non-expert counterparts. This web-based study included clinical vignettes, implicit association tests (IATs), and an educational module. 595 participants were recruited via their institution or professional society. We conducted statistical analyses, including regression models controlling for key demographic characteristics, to analyze recommendation patterns and degree of change after the module. Genetics expertise strongly correlated with appropriate testing recommendation when the patient would not consider pregnancy termination (r = 1.784 pre-module, r = 1.502 post-module, p < 0.01). Factors that influenced pre-module recommendation to test include increased age (r = -0.029, p < 0.05), high religiosity (r = 0.525, p < 0.05), and participant personal preference against testing (r = 1.112, p < 0.01). Responses among participants without genetics expertise improved after the educational module (Z = -4.435, p < 0.01). 42% of non-experts who answered inappropriately changed their answer to match guidelines after the module. Individual bias, along with structural and institutional bias, permeates family planning encounters and significantly decreases quality of care. We demonstrate here that anti-bias training is effective, particularly for non-expert providers, and it can improve the care provided to individuals with intellectual disability. Evidence-based training such as this one can help providers make appropriate genetic counseling recommendations.

Reasons for Delayed Diagnosis of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis during the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review

Global pandemics cause health system disruptions. The inadvertent disruption in surgical emergency care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the topic of several published studies. Our aim was to summarize the reasons that led to the delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis during the COVID-19 era. This systematic literature search evaluated studies containing pediatric appendicitis patient data regarding outcomes, times to hospital admission or times from symptom onset to emergency department visit. Studies elucidating reasons for delays in the management of pediatric appendicitis were also reviewed. Ultimately, 42 studies were included. Several reasons for delayed diagnosis are analyzed such as changes to public health measures, fear of exposure to COVID-19, increased use of telemedicine, COVID-19 infection with concurrent acute appendicitis, recurrence of appendicitis after non-operative management and increased time to intraoperative diagnosis. Time to hospital admission in conjunction with patient outcomes was extracted and analyzed as an indicative measure of delayed management. Delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis has been documented in many studies with various effects on outcomes. Suspicion of pediatric acute appendicitis must always lead to prompt medical examination, regardless of pandemic status. Telemedicine can be valuable if properly applied. Data from this era can guide future health system policies.

Disparities in Utilization of Same-Day Discharge Following Appendectomy in Children

INTRODUCTION

Disparities in the delivery of pediatric surgical care exist for racial and ethnic minority groups. Utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) following appendectomy for acute, uncomplicated appendicitis is increasing; however, rates among diverse populations have not been explored to evaluate equitable care delivery and healthcare utilization. Our objective was to determine whether race and ethnicity are associated with rates of SDD and postdischarge healthcare utilization. We hypothesized that racial and ethnic minority groups would have lower rates of SDD.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the 2015-2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric clinical registry and included children who underwent appendectomy. Patients with complicated appendicitis were excluded. Primary exposure was racial or ethnic group. The primary outcome was SDD, and secondary outcomes included postdischarge emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.

RESULTS

Of 37,579 simple appendicitis patients, SDD after appendectomy occurred in 10,012 (26.6%). On multivariable analysis, Black or African American race was associated with lower likelihood of SDD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.79-0.92; P < 0.0001). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with higher likelihood of SDD (aOR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.12-1.25; P < 0.0001). Likelihood of postoperative emergency department visits was higher in Black or African American patients (aOR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14-1.62; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (aOR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.12-1.58; P < 0.0001). Hospital readmission rates were similar across groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of SDD following appendectomy vary among racial and ethnic groups. Interventions to achieve equitable healthcare delivery including SDD after appendectomy are needed.

Association Between Race, Gender, and Pediatric Postoperative Outcomes: An Updated Retrospective Review

INTRODUCTION

There has not been a recent evaluation of the association between racial and gender and surgical outcomes in children. We aimed to evaluate improvements in race- and gender-related pediatric postoperative outcomes since a report utilizing the Kids' Inpatient Database data from 2003 to 2006.

METHODS

Using Kids' Inpatient Database (2009, 2012, 2016), we identified 245,976 pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis (93.6%), pyloromyotomy for pyloric stenosis (2.7%), empyema decortication (1.6%), congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair (0.7%), small bowel resection for intussusception (0.5%), or colonic resection for Hirschsprung disease (0.2%). The primary outcome was the development of postoperative complications. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate risk-adjusted associations among race, gender, income, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Most patients were male (61.5%) and 45.7% were White. Postoperative complications were significantly associated with male gender (P < 0.0001) and race (P < 0.0001). After adjustment, Black patients were more likely to experience any complication than White patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.3, confidence interval 1.2-1.4), and males were more likely than females (adjusted odds ratio 1.3, confidence interval 1.2-1.4).

CONCLUSIONS

No clear progress has been made in eliminating race- or gender-based disparities in pediatric postoperative outcomes. New strategies are needed to better understand and address these disparities.

Association of Socioeconomic Characteristics With Where Children Receive Emergency Care

OBJECTIVE

Outcomes of emergency care delivered to children vary by patient-level socioeconomic factors and by emergency department (ED) characteristics, including pediatric volume. How these factors intersect in emergency care-seeking patterns among children is not well understood. The objective of this study was to characterize national associations of neighborhood income and insurance type of children with the characteristics of the EDs from which they receive care.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of ED visits by children from 2014 to 2017 using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. We determined the associations of neighborhood income and patient insurance type with the proportions of visits to EDs by pediatric volume category, both unadjusted and adjusted for patient-level factors including urban-rural status of residence.

RESULTS

Of 107.6 million ED visits by children nationally from 2014 to 2017, children outside of the wealthiest neighborhood income quartile had lower proportions of visits to high-volume pediatric EDs (57.1% poorest quartile, 51.5% second, 56.6% third, 63.5% wealthiest) and greater proportions of visits to low-volume pediatric EDs (4.4% poorest, 6.4% second, 4.6% third, 2.3% wealthiest) than children in the wealthiest quartile. Adjustment for patient-level factors, particularly urban-rural status, inverted this association, revealing that lower neighborhood income was independently associated with visiting higher-volume pediatric EDs. Publicly insured children were modestly more likely to visit higher-volume pediatric EDs than privately insured and uninsured children in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationally, children in lower-income neighborhoods tended to receive care in pediatric EDs with lower volume, an association that appears principally driven by urban-rural differences in access to emergency care.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the delayed diagnosis of appendicitis among children

BACKGROUND

Appendicitis is the most common surgical condition in pediatric emergency department (ED) patients. Prompt diagnosis can reduce morbidity, including appendiceal perforation. The goal of this study was to measure racial/ethnic differences in rates of 1) appendiceal perforation, 2) delayed diagnosis of appendicitis, and 3) diagnostic imaging during prior visit(s).

METHODS

This was a 3-year multicenter (seven EDs) retrospective cohort study of children diagnosed with appendicitis using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry. Delayed diagnosis was defined as having at least one prior ED visit within 7 days preceding appendicitis diagnosis. We performed multivariable logistic regression to measure associations of race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic [NH]-white, NH-Black, Hispanic, other) with 1) appendiceal perforation, 2) delayed diagnosis of appendicitis, and 3) diagnostic imaging during prior visit(s).

RESULTS

Of 7,298 patients with appendicitis and documented race/ethnicity, 2,567 (35.2%) had appendiceal perforation. In comparison to NH-whites, NH-Black children had higher likelihood of perforation (36.5% vs. 34.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.21 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.01 to 1.45]). A total of 206 (2.8%) had a delayed diagnosis of appendicitis. NH-Black children were more likely to have delayed diagnoses (4.7% vs. 2.0%; aOR = 1.81 [95% CI = 1.09 to 2.98]). Eighty-nine (43.2%) patients with delayed diagnosis had abdominal imaging during their prior visits. In comparison to NH-whites, NH-Black children were less likely to undergo any imaging (28.2% vs. 46.2%; aOR = 0.41 [95% CI = 0.18 to 0.96]) or definitive imaging (e.g., ultrasound/computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging; 10.3% vs. 35.9%; aOR = 0.15 [95% CI = 0.05 to 0.50]) during prior visits.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter cohort, there were racial disparities in appendiceal perforation. There were also racial disparities in rates of delayed diagnosis of appendicitis and diagnostic imaging during prior ED visits. These disparities in diagnostic imaging may lead to delays in appendicitis diagnosis and, thus, may contribute to higher perforation rates demonstrated among minority children.

Project Inclusive Genetics: Exploring the impact of patient-centered counseling training on physical disability bias in the prenatal setting

PURPOSE

There is robust research examining the negative impact of racial and socioeconomic implicit bias on healthcare provider clinical decision-making. However, other under-studied important biases are likely to impact clinical care as well. The goal of this study was to explore the presence of bias against people with physical disability among a heterogeneous group of healthcare workers and trainees and to evaluate the effect of implicit association testing and an educational module on this bias.

METHOD

The study was composed of a one-hour web-based survey and educational module. The survey included an explicit disability bias assessment, disability Implicit Association Tests (IATs), demographic collection, and pre- and post- module clinical vignettes of prenatal patient scenarios. In addition to providing counseling to hypothetical patients, participants also indicated their personal preferences on genetic testing and termination. The educational module focused on the principles of patient-centered counseling.

RESULTS

The collected data reflects responses from 335 participants. Within this sample, there were both explicit and implicit biases towards individuals with physical disabilities. Prior to the IAT and educational module, when respondents were tasked with providing genetic testing recommendations, implicit biases and personal preferences for genetic testing and termination influenced respondents' clinical recommendations. Importantly, having previous professional experience with individuals with disabilities diminished biased clinical recommendations prior to the intervention. In response to the IAT and educational intervention, the effect of implicit bias and personal preferences on clinical recommendations decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates how bias against a marginalized group exists within the medical community and that personal opinions can impact clinical counseling. Importantly, our findings suggest that there are strategies that can be easily implemented into curricula to address disability bias, including formal educational interventions and the addition of professional experiences into healthcare professional training programs.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Emergency Department Diagnostic Imaging at US Children's Hospitals, 2016-2019

IMPORTANCE

Diagnostic imaging is frequently performed as part of the emergency department (ED) evaluation of children. Whether imaging patterns differ by race and ethnicity is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate racial and ethnic differences in the performance of common ED imaging studies and to examine patterns across diagnoses.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study evaluated visits by patients younger than 18 years to 44 US children's hospital EDs from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2019.

EXPOSURES

Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic White race/ethnicity.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of visits for each race/ethnicity group with at least 1 diagnostic imaging study, defined as plain radiography, computed tomography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The major diagnostic categories classification system was used to examine race/ethnicity differences in imaging rates by diagnoses.

RESULTS

A total of 13 087 522 visits by 6 230 911 children and adolescents (mean [SD] age, 5.8 [5.2] years; 52.7% male) occurred during the study period. Diagnostic imaging was performed during 3 689 163 visits (28.2%). Imaging was performed in 33.5% of visits by non-Hispanic White patients compared with 24.1% of visits by non-Hispanic Black patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.60-0.60) and 26.1% of visits by Hispanic patients (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.66-0.67). Adjusting for confounders, visits by non-Hispanic Black (adjusted OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.82-0.83) and Hispanic (adjusted OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.87-0.87) patients were less likely to include any imaging study compared with visits by non-Hispanic White patients. Limiting the analysis to only visits by nonhospitalized patients, the adjusted OR for imaging was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.79-0.80) for visits by non-Hispanic Black patients and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.84-0.85) for visits by Hispanic patients. Results were consistent in analyses stratified by public and private insurance groups and did not materially differ by diagnostic category.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children were less likely to receive diagnostic imaging during ED visits compared with non-Hispanic White children. Further investigation is needed to understand and mitigate these potential disparities in health care delivery and to evaluate the effect of these differential imaging patterns on patient outcomes.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Surgery in the United States

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of pediatric surgery in the United States and whether disparities in access to surgical care exist on a national level remain inadequately described.

AIMS

We determined rates of surgical intervention and associations with sociodemographic factors among children 0-17 years of age in the United States.

METHODS

Analysis of the 2005-2018 National Health Interview Survey samples included 155,064 children. Parents reported on whether their child had a surgery or surgical procedure either as an inpatient or outpatient over the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, income, language, parent education, region, having a usual source of care, and comorbid conditions, examined odds ratios for sociodemographic factors associated with surgery, analyzing the most recent data (2016-2018; 25 544 children).

RESULTS

In the most recent data, 4.7% of children had surgical intervention each year, with an average of 3.9 million surgeries performed annually. Rates of surgery were stable between 2005 and 2018. Minority children had lower adjusted odds (aOR) of surgical intervention as compared to white, non-Hispanic children (aOR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.5-0.8 for black children, and aOR = 0.7, 95%CI = 0.5-0.9 for Hispanic children). Other sociodemographic factors associated with a lower adjusted odd of surgical intervention included uninsured status (aOR = 0.5; 95%CI = 0.3-0.9), and primary language other than English (aOR = 0.5; 95%CI 0.3-0.9). Income was not associated with surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

On average, 3.9 million surgeries are performed on children 0-17 years of age in the United States each year. Significant disparities exist in surgical care for children, with black and Hispanic children having lower rates of surgery over and above contribution of other disparity domains. These findings in a nationally representative sample highlight the need for national policies to eliminate disparity of care received by minority children.

The influence of patient race on the use of diagnostic imaging in United States emergency departments: data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care survey

BACKGROUND

An established body of literature has shown evidence of implicit bias in the health care system on the basis of patient race and ethnicity that contributes to well documented disparities in outcomes. However, little is known about the influence of patient race and ethnicity on the decision to order diagnostic radiology exams in the acute care setting. This study examines the role of patient race and ethnicity on the likelihood of diagnostic imaging exams being ordered during United States emergency department encounters.

METHODS

Publicly available data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Emergency Department sample for the years 2006-2016 was compiled. The proportion of patient encounters where diagnostic imaging was ordered was tabulated by race/ethnicity, sub-divided by imaging modality. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the influence of patient race/ethnicity on the ordering of diagnostic imaging controlling for other patient and hospital characteristics. Survey weighting variables were used to formulate national-level estimates.

RESULTS

Using the weighted data, an average of 131,558,553 patient encounters were included each year for the 11-year study period. Imaging was used at 46% of all visits although this varied significantly by patient race and ethnicity with white patients receiving medical imaging at 49% of visits and non-white patients at 41% of visits (p < 0.001). This effect persisted in the controlled regression model and across all imaging modalities with the exception of ultrasound. Other factors with a significant influence on imaging use included patient age, gender, insurance status, number of co-morbidities, hospital setting (urban vs non-urban) and hospital region. There was no evidence to suggest that the disparate use of imaging by patient race and ethnicity changed over the 11-year study time period.

CONCLUSION

The likelihood that a diagnostic imaging exam will be ordered during United States emergency department encounters differs significantly by patient race and ethnicity even when controlling for other patient and hospital characteristics. Further work must be done to understand and mitigate what may represent systematic bias and ensure equitable use of health care resources.

Increasing emergency department utilization of brain imaging in patients with primary brain cancer

PURPOSE

To study changing emergency department (ED) brain imaging utilization in patients with primary brain cancers.

METHODS

Using 2006-2014 data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), we identified all patients with primary brain cancers visiting EDs and evaluated trends of head CT and brain MRI utilization. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine patient- and hospital-specific factors associated with brain imaging utilization.

RESULTS

A weighted cohort of 40,862 ED visits were included (mean age 55; 54% male), increasing from 3932 in 2006 to 5625 in 2014 (+ 43%). A total of 14.4% underwent brain imaging, with 13.2% undergoing CT, 2.3% undergoing MRI, and 1.1% undergoing both modalities. Between 2006 and 2014, there was a 104% increase in the rate of ED brain imaging (from 9.7% in 2006 to 19.8% in 2014). Factors associated with higher utilization of ED brain imaging in adults were non-teaching hospital status and Midwest and Northeast hospital regions (compared with the West). In pediatric patients, higher utilization was associated with older age, higher median household income of patient's ZIP code, and visits in rural, non-teaching hospitals located in the Midwest, South, and Northeast (compared with the West).

CONCLUSION

In US patients with primary brain cancer, the number of ED visits increased annually, and the utilization of ED head imaging examinations doubled in a recent 9-year period. A variety of sociodemographic characteristics are associated with a higher likelihood of imaging in both adult and pediatric patients.

Prognostic Factors Associated with Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Appendectomies in Children: A Multilevel Analysis in a National Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is the most common acute surgical abdominal pathology in children, and it has a large impact on morbidity and the costs incurred by health care systems. In low- and median-income countries, national information on the clinical and economic outcomes associated with this surgery does not exist. This study aimed to identify and describe the clinical and economic outcomes for children undergoing appendectomy in Colombia's contributory system and to determine the prognostic factors associated with these outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative data from patients under 18 years of age who underwent an appendectomy between July 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015, in Colombia's contributory health system. Thirty-day mortality rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates and median costs were estimated for the entire country by geographic region and insurer. The prognostic factors associated with these outcomes were identified using generalized multilevel mixed models.

RESULTS

A total of 21,674 children were included. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0.06% [95% CI 0.02-0.9], the ICU admission rate was 8.00% [95% CI 7.63-8.36], the mean LOS was 2.48 days (SD 5.24), the readmission rate was 1.5% [95% CI 1.33-1.66] and the median cost for Colombia was 394 USD [p25-p75: 256-555]. The prognostic factors that were associated with the 30-day ICU admission rate, LOS and readmission rate were the insurer, geographic region, age, occurrence of an appendectomy with peritoneal drainage, and certain comorbidities, such as cancer and neurological, respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. The prognostic factors associated with costs were those previously mentioned as well as the occurrence of a laparoscopic appendectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

In Colombia's contributory health system, large differences in clinical outcomes and the costs incurred by the system exist, and these differences are associated with the geographic region, the insurer, and some of the clinical characteristics of the children undergoing appendectomy.

Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Outcomes of Patients with Kawasaki Disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) with time to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, length of stay (LOS), and coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in patients with Kawasaki disease.

STUDY DESIGN

We examined the relationship of SES in 915 patients treated at a large academic center between 2000 and 2017. Neighborhood SES was measured using a US census-based score derived from 6 measures related to income, education, and occupation. Linear and logistic regression were used to examine the association of SES with number of days of fever at time of treatment, LOS, and CAA.

RESULTS

Patients in the lowest SES quartile were treated later than patients with greater SES (7 [IQR 5, 9] vs 6 [IQR 5, 8] days, P = .01). Patients in the lowest SES quartile were more likely to be treated after 10 days of illness, with an OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.8). In multivariable analysis, SES remained an independent predictor of the number of days of fever at time of treatment (P = .01). Patients in the lowest SES quartile had longer LOS than patients with greater SES (3 [IQR 2, 5] vs 3 [IQR 2, 4], P = .007). In subgroup analysis of white children, those in the lowest SES quartile vs quartiles 2-4 were more likely to develop large/giant CAA 17 (12%) vs 30 (6%), P = .03.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower SES is associated with delayed treatment, prolonged LOS, and increased risk of large/giant CAA. Novel approaches to diagnosis and education are needed for children living in low-SES neighborhoods.

Executive Summary: The 2018 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference: Aligning the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Agenda to Reduce Health Outcome Gaps

Emergency care providers share a compelling interest in developing an effective patient-centered, outcomes-based research agenda that can decrease variability in pediatric outcomes. The 2018 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference "Aligning the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Agenda to Reduce Health Outcome Gaps (AEMCC)" aimed to fulfill this role. This conference convened major thought leaders and stakeholders to introduce a research, scholarship, and innovation agenda for pediatric emergency care specifically to reduce health outcome gaps. Planning committee and conference participants included emergency physicians, pediatric emergency physicians, pediatricians, and researchers with expertise in research dissemination and translation, as well as comparative effectiveness, in collaboration with patients, patient and family advocates from national advocacy organizations, and trainees. Topics that were explored and deliberated through subcommittee breakout sessions led by content experts included 1) pediatric emergency medical services research, 2) pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) research network collaboration, 3) PEM education for emergency medicine providers, 4) workforce development for PEM, and 5) enhancing collaboration across emergency departments (PEM practice in non-children's hospitals). The work product of this conference is a research agenda that aims to identify areas of future research, innovation, and scholarship in PEM.

Children with appendicitis on the US-Mexico border have socioeconomic challenges and are best served by a freestanding children's hospital

INTRODUCTION

The US-Mexico border is medically underserved. Recent political changes may render this population even more vulnerable. We hypothesized that children on the border present with high rates of perforated appendicitis due to socioeconomic barriers.

METHODS

A prospective survey was administered to children presenting with appendicitis in El Paso, Texas. Primary outcomes were rate of perforation and reason for diagnostic delay. We evaluated the association between demographics, potential barriers to care, risk of perforation and risk of misdiagnosis using logistic regression. p < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

98 patients participated from October 2016 to February 2017. 96 patients (98%) were Hispanic and 81 (82%) had Medicaid or were uninsured. 11 patients (11%) resided in Mexico or Guatemala. Patients were less likely to receive a CT and more likely to receive an ultrasound if they presented to a freestanding children's hospital (p = 0.01). 37 patients (38%) presented with perforation, of which 19 (52%) were the result of practitioner misdiagnosis. Patients who presented to a freestanding children's hospital were less likely to be misdiagnosed than patients presenting to other facilities (p = 0.05). Children who underwent surgery in a freestanding children's hospital had the shortest length of stay after adjusting for perforation status and potential confounders (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Children with low socioeconomic status did not have difficulty accessing care on the USA-Mexico border, but they were commonly misdiagnosed. Children were less likely to receive a CT, more likely to be correctly diagnosed and length of stay was shorter when patients presented to a freestanding children's hospital.

Differences in the Management of Perforated Appendicitis in Children by Race and Insurance Status

This study was conducted to assess whether race and socioeconomic status influence the management method used to treat pediatric perforated appendicitis. Nonelective pediatric admissions with a primary diagnosis of appendicitis were analyzed using data from the 2001–2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the association between race, insurance status, median household income, rural/metropolitan location, and the risk adjusted odds of undergoing surgery, laparoscopic appendectomy, percutaneous drainage, or neither surgery nor percutaneous drainage. A total of 46,211 admissions of perforated appendicitis were identified. Surgery was performed in 90.5 per cent of them. Black children were less likely to have surgery [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.53] and more likely to be managed non-surgically with percutaneous drainage (AOR = 1.79). Self-pay patients were less likely to have laparoscopic surgery (AOR = 0.80). Children from rural counties were more likely to undergo surgery than those from larger metropolitan areas (AOR = 1.30). Higher estimated household income did not predict the method of treatment. Although previous studies have attributed racial disparities in outcomes for appendicitis to different rates of perforation and access to care, these findings demonstrate significantly dissimilar management strategies for patients presenting with a similar disease process.

Pain reporting and analgesia management in 270 children with a progressive neurologic, metabolic or chromosomally based condition with impairment of the central nervous system: cross-sectional, baseline results from an observational, longitudinal study

Little is known about the prevalence, characterization and treatment of pain in children with progressive neurologic, metabolic or chromosomal conditions with impairment of the central nervous system. The primary aims of this study were to explore the differences between parental and clinical pain reporting in children with life-limiting conditions at the time of enrollment into an observational, longitudinal study and to determine if differences in pain experiences were associated with patient- or treatment-related factors. Pain was common, under-recognized and undertreated among the 270 children who enrolled into the "Charting the Territory" study. Children identified by their parents as experiencing pain (n=149, 55%) were older, had more comorbidities such as dyspnea/feeding difficulties, were less mobile with lower functional skills and used analgesic medications more often, compared to pain-free children. Forty-one percent of children with parent-reported pain (21.8% of all patients) experienced pain most of the time. The majority of clinicians (60%) did not document pain assessment or analgesic treatment in the medical records of patients who were experiencing pain. Documentation of pain in the medical record was positively correlated with children receiving palliative care services and being prescribed analgesics, such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids, as well as the adjuvant analgesics gabapentin and amitriptyline.

Pediatric appendicitis: state of the art review

Appendicitis is a common cause of abdominal pain in children. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease have undergone major changes in the past two decades, primarily as a result of the application of an evidence-based approach. Data from several randomized controlled trials, large database studies, and meta-analyses have fundamentally affected patient care. The best diagnostic approach is a standardized clinical pathway with a scoring system and selective imaging. Non-operative management of simple appendicitis is a reasonable option in selected cases, with the caveat that data in children remain limited. A minimally invasive (laparoscopic) appendectomy is the current standard in US and European children's hospitals. This article reviews the current 'state of the art' in the evaluation and management of pediatric appendicitis.

The Effect of Limited English Proficiency on Pediatric Hospital Readmissions

BACKGROUND

The relationship between limited English proficiency (LEP) and worse pediatric health outcomes is well documented.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between LEP status and pediatric hospital readmissions.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of children ≤ 18 years old admitted to a tertiary children's hospital from 2008 to 2014. The main exposure was LEP status. Independent variables included sex, age, race/ethnicity, insurance, median household income, surgical/medical status, severity of illness (SOI), the presence of a complex chronic condition, and length of stay. Primary outcome measures were 7- and 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

From 67 473 encounters, 7- and 30-day readmission rates were 3.9% and 8.2%, respectively. LEP patients were more likely to be younger, poorer, and Hispanic; have lower SOI; and government-subsidized insurance. Adjusted odds for 7- or 30-day readmission for LEP versus English-proficient (EP) patients were 1.00 (P = .99) and 0.97 (P = .60), respectively. Hispanic ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.26 [P = .002] and 1.14 [P = .02]), greater SOI (aOR: 1.04 [P < .001] and 1.05 [P < .001]), and the presence of a complex chronic condition (aOR: 2.31 [P < .001] and 3.03 [P < .001]) were associated with increased odds of 7- and 30-day readmission, respectively. White LEP patients had increased odds of 7- and 30-day readmission compared with white EP patients (aOR: 1.46 [P = .006] and 1.32 [P = .007]) and the poorest LEP patients had increased odds of 7- and 30-day readmission compared with the poorest EP patients (aOR: 1.77 [P = .04] and 2.00 [P < .001]).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first large study evaluating the relationship between LEP and pediatric hospital readmission. There was no increased risk of readmission in LEP patients compared with EP patients.