An emergency department or a convenient pediatric walk in clinic

Abstract EN

Objectives : To describe the rate and pattern of the Emergency Department use by non-urgent pediatric cases and to find out the main determinant factors of these visits.

Methods : This study conducted at Princess Haya Military Hospital in Aqaba city during the period between December 2006 and May 2007.

Data was collected from all pediatric cases that attended the Emergency Department and was evaluated by pediatricians.

Results were analyzed descriptively.

Results : A total number of 8,100 children aged 14 years and below attended the Emergency Department during the study period for different complaints.

Around 71% of the total cases were considered to be nonurgent as assessed by the attending pediatrician.

About 77% of cases were medically insured by public health insurance.

Being less than six years old and living inside the city was associated with more non-urgent visits.

Generally unemployed and educated caregivers were more likely to make non-urgent visits.

Most common presenting complaints were respiratory problems followed by gastrointestinal problems.

Conclusion : Findings showed that a significant proportion of pediatric visits to the Emergency Department were non-urgent and could be handled in primary health care settings.

Efforts and measures should be attempted to decrease emergency department use by non-urgent pediatric cases, both for financial reasons, as well as time and effort saving.