scholarly journals COVID-19 related reduction in pediatric emergency healthcare utilization – a concerning trend

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Dopfer ◽  
Martin Wetzke ◽  
Anna Zychlinsky Scharff ◽  
Frank Mueller ◽  
Frank Dressler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Adolescent Medicine ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department ◽  
Patient Morbidity ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems worldwide. In addition to the direct impact of the virus on patient morbidity and mortality, the effect of lockdown strategies on health and healthcare utilization have become apparent. Little is known on the effect of the pandemic on pediatric and adolescent medicine. We examined the impact of the pandemic on pediatric emergency healthcare utilization. Methods We conducted a monocentric, retrospective analysis of n = 5,424 pediatric emergency department visits between January 1st and April 19th of 2019 and 2020, and compared healthcare utilization during the pandemic in 2020 to the same period in 2019. Results In the four weeks after lockdown in Germany began, we observed a massive drop of 63.8% in pediatric emergency healthcare utilization (mean daily visits 26.8 ± SEM 1.5 in 2019 vs. 9.7 ± SEM 1 in 2020, p < 0.005). This drop in cases occurred for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. A larger proportion of patients under one year old (daily mean of 16.6% ±SEM 1.4 in 2019 vs. 23.1% ±SEM 1.7 in 2020, p < 0.01) and of cases requiring hospitalisation (mean of 13.9% ±SEM 1.6 in 2019 vs. 26.6% ±SEM 3.3 in 2020, p < 0.001) occurred during the pandemic. During the analysed time periods, few intensive care admissions and no fatalities occurred. Conclusions Our data illustrate a significant decrease in pediatric emergency department visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public outreach is needed to encourage parents and guardians to seek medical attention for pediatric emergencies in spite of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Covid-19 Related Reduction in Paediatric Emergency Healthcare Utilization – A Concerning Trend

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Happle ◽  
Christian Dopfer ◽  
med Wetzke ◽  
Anna Zychlinsky Scharff ◽  
Frank Mueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Public Outreach ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Pediatric Emergencies ◽  
One Year ◽  
Pediatric Healthcare ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems worldwide. Besides the direct impact of the virus on morbidity and mortality of patients, the effect of lockdown strategies on health and healthcare utilization become more and more apparent. Little is known on the effect of the pandemic on pediatric healthcare utilization. We examined the impact of the pandemic on pediatric emergency healthcare.Methods: We conducted a monocentric, retrospective analysis of n=5.424 pediatric emergency visits between January 1st and April 19th of 2019 and 2020, and compared healthcare utilization in the month post lockdown 2020 to the same period in 2019.Results: In the four weeks after lockdown in Germany began, we observed a massive drop of 63.8% in pediatric emergency healthcare utilization (mean daily visits 26.8 ±SEM 1.5 in 2019 vs. 9.7 ±SEM 1 in 2020, p<0.005). This drop in cases occurred for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. A larger proportion of patients under one year old (daily mean of 16.6% ±SEM 1.4 in 2019 vs 23.1% ±SEM 1.7, p<0.01 in 2020) and of cases requiring hospitalisation (mean of 13.9% ±SEM 1.6 in 2019 vs. 26.6% ±SEM 3.3 in 2020, p<0.001) occurred during the pandemic. During the analysed time periods, few intensive care admissions and no fatalities occurred.Conclusion: Our data illustrate a significant decrease in pediatric emergency room visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public outreach is needed to encourage parents to seek medical attention for pediatric emergencies in spite of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Short‐term outcomes in children following emergency department visits for minor injuries sustained at home

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Molloy ◽  
Wendy Shields ◽  
Molly W Stevens ◽  
Andrea C Gielen
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Minor Injury ◽  
Minor Injuries ◽  
A Minor ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Minor injuries are very common in the pediatric population and often occur in the home environment. Despite its prevalence, little is known about outcomes in children following minor injury at home. Understanding the impact of these injuries on children and their families is important for treatment, prevention, and policy. The objectives of our study were (1) To describe the distribution of short-term outcomes following pediatric minor injuries sustained at home and (2) To explore the relationship of injury type and patient and household demographics with these outcomes. Methods Children (n = 102) aged 0–7 years with a minor injury sustained at home were recruited in an urban pediatric emergency department as part of the Child Housing Assessment for a Safer Environment (CHASE) observational study. Each patient had a home visit following the emergency department visit, where five parent-reported outcomes were assessed. Relationships were explored with logistic regression. Results The most common type of injury was soft tissue (57.8 %). 13.2 % of children experienced ≥ 7 days of pain, 21.6 % experienced ≥ 7 days of abnormal activity, 8.9 % missed ≥ 5 days of school, 17.8 % of families experienced ≥ 7 days of disruption, and 9.1 % of parents missed ≥ 5 days of work. Families reported a total of 120 missed school days and 120 missed work days. Children who sustained a burn had higher odds of experiencing pain (OR 6.97), abnormal activity (OR 8.01), and missing school (OR 8.71). The parents of children who sustained a burn had higher odds of missing work (OR 14.97). Conclusions Families of children suffering a minor injury at home reported prolonged pain and changes in activity as well as significant school and work loss. In this cohort, burns were more likely than other minor injuries to have these negative short-term outcomes reported and represent an important target for interventions. The impact of these injuries on missed school and disruption of parental work warrants further consideration.

Impact of a State Concussion Law on Pediatric Emergency Department Visits

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Mackenzie ◽  
Patrick Vivier ◽  
Steven Reinert ◽  
Jason Machan ◽  
Caroline Kelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract P168: Impact of Oral Anticoagulation Choice on Healthcare Utilization for the Primary Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob F Walker ◽  
Richard F Maclehose ◽  
J'Neka Claxton ◽  
Terrence Adam ◽  
Alvaro Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
International Classification Of Disease ◽  
Hospitalization Rates ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Little is known about the impact of oral anticoagulation (OAC) choice on healthcare encounters during the primary treatment of VTE. Hypothesis: Among anticoagulant-naïve VTE patients we tested the hypotheses that the number of hospitalizations, days hospitalized, emergency department visits, and outpatient office visits would be lower among users of rivaroxaban or apixaban than among users of warfarin. Methods: MarketScan databases for years 2016 and 2017 were used to identify VTE cases and comorbidities using international classification of disease codes, and prescriptions for OACs via outpatient pharmaceutical claims data. Healthcare utilization was identified in the first 6 months after initial VTE diagnoses. Results: The 23,864 individuals with VTE cases were on average (± standard deviation) 55.7 ± 16.1 years old and 50.6% female. Participants had on average 0.2 ± 0.5 hospitalizations, spent 1.3 ± 5.2 days in the hospital, had 5.7 ± 5.1 outpatient encounters, and visited an emergency department 0.4 ± 1.1 times. As compared to warfarin, rivaroxaban and apixaban were associated with fewer hospitalizations, days hospitalized, office visits and emergency department visits, after accounting for age, sex, comorbidities and medications (Table 1). For example, hospitalization rates were 24% lower [IRR: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.83)] for patients prescribed rivaroxaban and 22% lower [IRR: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.87)] for patients prescribed apixaban, as compared to those prescribed warfarin. When comparing apixaban to rivaroxaban, there were no differences in healthcare utilization. Conclusions: VTE patients prescribed rivaroxaban and apixaban had lower healthcare utilization than did those prescribed warfarin, while there was no difference when comparing apixaban to rivaroxaban. These findings complement existing literature supporting the use of direct OACs over warfarin given their similar effectiveness, slightly better safety profile, and perceived lower patient burden.

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