Objective To determine the rate of unplanned return visits (uRVs) within 48 h to a paediatric ED over a 12‐month period and describe the factors associated with these uRV. Methods Retrospective review of electronic data regarding the initial and follow‐up visit at a tertiary paediatric hospital ED in Western Australia. The primary outcome was the number of patients who presented for uRV within 48 h of their initial ED visit. Results Between August 2018 and July 2019, 2322 patients returned to the ED for a uRV comprising 3.4% of 68 352 ED presentations with more than 53% returning with infectious causes. Triage category 3 patients were most likely to represent (OR 1.11, P = 0.029) with 3‐month to 1‐year old (OR 1.37, P < 0.00001) and 1–5‐year old (OR 1.32, P < 0.00001) the commonest age groups. There was seasonal variation in uRVs demonstrating a greater number in the winter months. The percentage of uRVs to overall ED presentations was greater in the summer months (3.8–4.1%). There was a significant increase in uRVs occurring up to 2 weeks after the changeovers in middle‐grade ED doctors only. Conclusions The present study has demonstrated associations between uRV and initial‐visit triage category 3, age between 3 months and 5 years, and presentations because of infectious illness. Middle‐grade doctor changeover was also associated with an increase in uRVs.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.