Characteristics of paediatric frequent presenters at emergency departments: a whole-of-population study
Date
2021
Authors
Procter, A.M.
Gialamas, A.
Pilkington, R.M.
Montgomerie, A.
Chittleborough, C.R.
Smithers, L.G.
Lynch, J.W.
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Journal Title
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Journal article
Citation
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2021; 57(1):64-72
Statement of Responsibility
Alexandra M Procter, Angela Gialamas, Rhiannon M Pilkington, Alicia Montgomerie, Catherine R Chittleborough, Lisa G Smithers and John W Lynch
Conference Name
Abstract
AIM:To quantify the frequency of emergency department (ED) presentations and profile the socio-demographic, health and presentation characteristics of paediatric ED frequent presenters. METHODS:A population-based data linkage study of 55 921 children in the South Australian Early Childhood Data Project aged 0-12 years with 100 976 presentations to public hospital EDs in South Australia. For each child, the total number of recurrent ED presentations during a 364-day period post-index presentation was calculated. Frequent presenters were children who experienced ≥4 recurrent ED presentations. We determined the socio-demographic, health and presentation characteristics by number of recurrent presentations. RESULTS:Children with ≥4 recurrent presentations (4.4%) accounted for 15.4% of all paediatric ED presentations and 22.5% of subsequent admissions to hospital during the 12-month study period. Compared to children with no recurrent ED presentation, frequent presenters had higher proportions of socio-economic and health disadvantage at birth. One in two (49.3%) frequent presenters had at least one injury presentation and one (21.3%) in five had at least one presentation related to a chronic condition. CONCLUSIONS:Children with ≥4 presentations do not represent the majority of ED users. Nevertheless, they represent a disproportionate burden accounting for 15% of all paediatric ED presentations in a 12-month period. Frequent presenters were characterised by early socio-economic and health disadvantage, and childhood injury. Strategies targeting social disadvantage and childhood injury may reduce the burden of ED presentations.
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Dissertation Note
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First published: 20 August 2020
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© 2020 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicia