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[Oral rehydration in acute gastroenteritis in infants and children--advantages of a standardized protocol]
Z Weizman, A Weizman1, A Alsheikh
1Pediatric Depts. A and B, Soroka Medical Center, and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba.
Insights
Oral rehydration therapy is as effective as IV therapy for infant gastroenteritis. Implementing a standardized protocol significantly increased oral rehydration use, reducing costs without affecting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Health Management
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a common pediatric illness.
- Oral rehydration (OR) is a cost-effective and less invasive alternative to intravenous (IV) therapy.
- Standardized protocols can improve clinical practice and resource utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the utilization of oral rehydration (OR) versus IV therapy in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis.
- To evaluate the impact of a standardized bedside protocol on OR utilization and associated costs.
- To assess clinical outcomes in relation to the management protocol used.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study comparing two pediatric wards.
- One ward utilized a standardized OR protocol based on American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.
- Patient data from 208 children with acute gastroenteritis were analyzed.
Main Results:
- OR utilization was significantly higher in the ward with the standardized protocol (48% vs. 15%).
- The protocol-based ward achieved equipment cost savings of approximately $1,000 per 3 months.
- No significant differences in clinical outcomes were observed between the two wards.
Conclusions:
- A standardized management protocol can substantially increase the utilization of oral rehydration in hospitalized children.
- Implementing such protocols offers significant cost savings.
- Standardized protocols improve OR use without compromising patient outcomes for acute diarrhea.
Abstract:
Oral rehydration (OR) for acute gastroenteritis in infants and children has been shown to be as effective as IV therapy, with less discomfort and lower costs. In this retrospective study we compared 2 pediatric wards, in 1 of which only a standardized, simplified, bedside protocol, based on American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, was used. There were no significant clinical characteristics in the 208 patients. In the ward which used the above protocol, OR utilization was significantly more frequent than in the other ward (48% versus 15%), thus saving equipment costs of nearly $1,000/3 months. There were no significant differences in outcome between the wards. We conclude that introducing a standardized management protocol may increase OR utilization in hospitalized children with acute diarrhea.
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