Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Comparative Study
Pediatric emergency department recidivism: demographic characteristics and diagnostic predictors.
Overcrowding in emergency departments remains a national problem. Increases in patient volume and illness severity are among the factors contributing to this crisis. Of particular interest is a small group of patients who account for a disproportionate number of ED visits and are known as recidivists. Demographic and diagnostic characteristics were examined in an attempt to describe this national issue with more clarity. ⋯ Although the sample is not representative, the data are helpful in identifying some of the issues of pediatric recidivism. Findings provide some understanding of parents' utilization of the emergency department and identified high-risk pediatric recidivists. Data also revealed specific disease entities warranting focused attention, such as nervous system diseases, sense organ diseases, digestive system diseases, infectious diseases, and parasitic diseases for children younger than 1 year. Patients with these problems may be at greater risk for return visits. ED nurses might consider nurse-initiated treatment protocols.